The Seven Year Slip
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ∙ An overworked book publicist with a perfectly planned future hits a snag when she falls in love with her temporary roommate . . . only to discover he lives seven years in the past, in this witty and wise novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics.
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023
"A gorgeous love story from one of the finest romance writers out there."—Carley Fortune, New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After
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: 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.
- Pages
- 348
- First published
- June 27, 2023
- Language
- English
- Edition
- Ebook
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Reviews
Finished July 28, 2023
Finished August 30, 2024
Finished September 25, 2024
This book was truly something magical. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it broke my heart only to put it back together again. I wish I had read this on a day when I could have done it all at once rather than doing little bits and pieces but at the same time I’m sad that it’s over. I wish I had more. During the 2 days that I read this book if I wasn’t reading it then I was thinking about it. Lemon and Iwan were so real and raw, I do not want to leave them. This was my first book by Ashley Poston and I will definitely be reading more in the future.
Finished February 27, 2025
“Sometimes the people you loved left you halfway through a story. Sometimes they left you without a goodbye. And, sometimes, they stayed around in little ways. In the memory of a musical. In the smell of their perfume. In the sound of the rain, and the itch for adventure, and the yearning for that liminal space between one airport terminal and the next. I hated her for leaving, and I loved her for staying as long as she could. And I would never wish this pain on anyone.” 💭 My thoughts What a beautiful story about finding love, grappling with sorrow, and attaining purpose and joy. Dead Romantics was a great book but The Seven Year Slip was so much better. After reading the author's note, maybe that's because the story comes from a tender place. The author touches on the topic of suicide throughout the book so proceed with caution while reading. While the story does have a HEA, the longing and loss the characters felt made you ache for them. They never managed to be in the right place at the right time throughout the story, but in the end, they do find their way to one another and it's beautiful. Besides the sad ache and tearing up multiple times, the banter between the two MC's had me giggling and smiling so much. The vibrancy Ashley gave these characters brought them to life, as if I truly knew them personally. Highly recommend this read if you want something touching and inspiring. ⚠️ Trigger warnings Graphic: Grief, Suicide, Death Moderate: Sexual content [Follow my Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/inkstainedemotions?igsh=aTh6eTZ6dGwxMXpy&utm_source=qr)
Finished May 22, 2026
- emotionalfunnyhopefulMedium-paced
Started May 26, 2026 · Finished May 29, 2026 · Read 3 times
If I could have read this in one sitting, I would have. This had all the feels. I loved the MCs, and the timey whimey aspect was whipped cream on top of a lemon pie. I ate this book up like it was the perfect meal and have zero regrets. I also loved the little easter eggs of Dead Romantics characters, I didn't notice it at first, but it was a nice little tie in. 🌶️ 2/5 Just the right amount of slow burn and spice. The chemistry was so good, and the banter had me giggling late into the night. Sometimes, it's ok to break the rules. Rereading this is still just as magical as the first time. I tried out the audio on this 2nd read and must say I think I enjoyed actually reading it the first time but it was still an amazing story. I think maybe next time I'll try a combo read. The audio narrator was really awesome, and had a lot of emotion in this story. "Every book is a time capsule." - Ashley Poston
Started May 23, 2026 · Finished May 23, 2026
Finished April 12, 2025
This book was an emotional journey. One moment I was laughing, the next I was crying like I personally knew Clementine and Iwan. Ashley Poston has delivered something magical; a perfect blend of romance, grief, humor, and self-discovery, all wrapped up in a cozy, spring-scented bow. Clementine felt so real and relatable. Her grief wasn’t just a side plot, it was a living part of her character. It made her human. Her sense of humor kept her grounded, and I found myself genuinely rooting for her healing just as much as her happily-ever-after. And Iwan is an absolute cinnamon roll of a man. Sunshine energy with a side of culinary magic. Their chemistry felt authentic and tender without being overly dramatic. Ashley’s prose is vivid without being overwhelming, and her descriptions, especially of food, made me want to eat every single thing mentioned. Quick, charming, and full of heart. The Seven Year Slip deserves every bit of hype it gets. Instantly one of my favorite romances. 💛
Started August 19, 2024 · Finished September 16, 2024
Started December 1, 2025 · Finished December 1, 2025
Finished August 23, 2025
