Best Time Loop Books
There is a trend in publishing I can’t help but notice – the growing popularity of time loop books! This is a list of my favorite time loop books. You might want to read them and then re-read.
What is a time loop book? Think of it as a story that repeats itself over and over, much like the famed movie, Groundhog Day. It can also be a book that starts and finishes on the same day without necessarily doing multiple repeats.
These stories can be loads of fun or utterly flop. The trick is in the scenarios the writer is conveying. No one wants to read the same scene again and again, so it’s down to how the writer can make the story interesting and nonrepetitive within the same window of time.
Below you will find time loop novels from a variety of different genres. Each of these books will keep you entertained and happily turning pages.
The Best Time Loop Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre of time loop books. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category, click on the arrow. You will also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Historical Fiction Time Loop Book
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson – Jump to see review and more books in this category
Best Romance Time Loop Book
In A Holidaze by Christina Lauren- Jump to see review and more books in this category
Best Fiction Time Loop Book
Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister- Jump to see review and more books in this category
Best Sci-Fi / Fantasy Time Loop Book
Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton – Jump to see review and more books in this category
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Historical Fiction Time Loop Books
Plot
Ursula Todd is born one night in 1910 and died before taking her first breath. She is born again on the same snowy night in 1910 and so the story continues.
Ursula lives her life over and over and hopes that she can get it right and change her story. As she grows, she grapples with family life and WWII.
Why Kirsten loves it
This masterful work by Kate Atkinson is a family drama, historical fiction, and magical realism all rolled into one fantastic book. This unique story is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Why Jackie loves it
The story is so unique and Atkinson’s writing is wonderful. This story felt fresh, even when watching Ursula live her life over and over again. The story gives such a fresh glimpse of WWII but is also a story about family.
Find this book in: Best WWII Books / Books Like the Time Traveler’s Wife / Magical Realism / Time Loop Books / British Books
Plot
This historical fantasy book was brilliantly researched and had an amazing premise in which Jake Epping steps into a time hole to stop the assassination of Kennedy. Every time he leaves history, time resets itself. Each time something does not go right, he can reset the clock by stepping out of the hole no matter how much time has passed while he was in the past.
Sound confusing? King is a brilliant writer who can make transitions between the past and present seamless. His attention to detail in this whopper of a book is unmatched.
Why Jackie likes it
The historic details in this book were immaculate but, as much as everyone loved this book, I thought that it was much too long. You have to be prepared for almost 900 pages. The beginning and the end of the book were outstanding.
Find this book in: Historical Fantasy Books / Time Loop Books / Nonlinear Narrative Novels
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
Author: Ransom Riggs
Year: 2011
Genre: Middle-Grade Fantasy
More info: Miss Peregruine’s Peculiar Children book 1 of 6
Age Range: 9+
Plot
When Jacob experiences a family tragedy, he finds himself on a remote island off the coast of Whales. He Discovers a crumbling ruin that was once Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
As Jacob explores the ruins, he finds clues that lead him to believe these children might be alive even though it seems impossible.
Why Jackie loves it
This series is full of magic and mystery. The amazing combination of fiction with antique photographs leads to a truly unique story that brings the characters to life.
Find this book in: Middle Grade Fantasy / Halloween Chapter Books / Time Loop Books / Halloween Movies Based on Books / Magic School Books
Time Loop Romance Books
In a Holidaze
Author: Christina Lauren
Year: 2020
Genre: Holiday Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Do you love Christmas movies? Are you obsessed with Christmas Romance books? Do you need to swoon? If you answered yes to any of those questions, stop everything and order In a Holidaze. This is possibly my favorite Christmas novel of all time and was a must for best holiday books.
I adored Mae and Andrew’s love story. It’s set up like Groundhog’s Day with Mae repeating the same Christmas vacation until she gets it right.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a time-travel romance at its best. And man… does she get it right. Peppermint kisses, sexy sledding, snowball fights, Christmas Tree trimming… this book oozes cheer-filled holiday goodness with a few scenes that are steamier than a cup of cocoa.
Why Jackie loves it
I thought a time loop book would become repetitive and this book was definitely not repetitive! I could not get enough of the Christmas cheer and the sweet moments in this book. I was rooting for the characters!
Find this book in: Time Travel Books / Best Books of 2020 / Magical Realism / Time Loop Books / Fantasy Christmas Books / Best Holiday Books / Best Christmas Books of All Time / Christmas Romance Books
Plot
Lucy Young is 26 and tired of terrible dates and horrible roommates. When she comes across a wishing machine in a convenience store, she wishes to skip to the good part of her life.
When she wakes up, she is married with beautiful children and her dream job. She then asks herself if she actually skipped her life or if she cannot remember living it. Her son is weary of her and she begins to question if she can go back or if she would want to.
Why Jackie loves it
Sophie Cousens never fails to disappoint with her fantastic books and this book lived up to all my expectations. I love the way this book came together. Time loop books are not easy to write, in my opinion, and the narrative in this novel pulled me in.
Find this book in: Time Loop Books
Plot
Jack has been reliving the same day for months and believes the only way out of this circle is to get Gemma Peters to fall in love with him. The Problem? Gemma has a feeling of deja vu, but she cannot remember Jack and has made a vow not to date musicians again (after her last boyfriend used her.)
Why Jackie loves it
I had high hopes for this time travel romance and it did not let me down. Do not be worried that you will have to read the same things over and over. This book has a refreshing spin that was utterly enjoyable. Thank you for my gifted copy of this book.
Find this book in: Time Loop Books / Time Travel Romance / Novels about Musicians
Through the Snowglobe
Author: Annie Rains
Year: 2023
Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This new Christmas book for 2023 is essentially Groundhog Day set at Christmas time! After Diana’s fiance has a car accident he’s in a coma. That same day, she lost out on a job opportunity she wanted.
Now, she’s gifted a magical snow globe that will allow her to repeat that fateful day over again. And she does, over and over and over. Can she figure out how to save the man she loves and get her life back on track?
Why Kirsten loves it
This was such a sweet Christmas book for 2023. It’s a great one for those who love It’s a Wonderful Life! #gifted
Find this book in: Christmas Books 2023 / Time Loop Books / Fantasy Christmas Books
Fiction Time Loop Books
Wrong Place Wrong Time
Author: Gillian McAllister
Year: 2022
Genre: Mystery Thriller
More info: August 2022 Reese’s Book Club Pick
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Jen is waiting for the 18-year-old son, Todd to return home the night before Halloween when she watches him come from the darkness and murder a total stranger by stabbing him. She does not know why her son would do this but her life is torn to pieces.
When she wakes up the next morning, she is shocked to discover that she has gone back to a day before the murder. Can she stop it from happening? First, she needs to find out why.
Now, each time Jen wakes up, she has gone further back in the past- days, weeks, and years before the murder ever happened.
Why Jackie loves it
This time travel mystery is one of the smartest and most captivating books I have ever read. It is an easy pick for a favorite book of the year.
Find this book in:Best Thriller Books / Best Time Loop Books / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read / Nonlinear Narrative Novels
Cassandra in Reverse
Author: Holly Smale
Year: 2023
Genre:Fiction
More info: June 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Cassandra Penelope Dankworth has just had the worst day of her life! She has been dumped, fired, and told to move out of her apartment. This is all very unfortunate for someone who likes things to be predictable.
After the worst day of her life (she was fired, dumped, and kicked out of her apartment) Cassie realizes that she can go back and change the past. She is determined to go back until she can fix everything that went wrong. But in doing so, something remarkable happens. Cassie begins to get a new perspective on people and situations. What if the past she thought she wanted wasn’t actually what she wanted?
Why Jackie likes it
This is such a fun and unique time loop book. It is a fast-paced book that is emotional, funny, and made me think. I did not love the ending and for me, that can make or break a book. It went from a five-star to a three-star read. However, I know that there are so many people who completely disagree. I would love to know your thoughts
Find this book in: Best Time Loop Books
Maybe Next Time
Author: Cesca Major
Year: 2023
Genre: Time Travel Fiction
More info: November 2023 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
When Reese selected this story for her book club, she announced she’d be making a movie adaption of it as well.
It’s all about Emma, a working mother of two who is reliving the day her husband dies on a Groundhog Day-like loop. She tries in vain to right her life and focus again on what is most important to her.
Why Kirsten likes it
I liked this novel, but it wasn’t my favorite Reese book club pick. I’m curious to see how this turns out when it gets adapted.
Find this book in: Time Loop Books / Books Becoming Movies /
The Midnight Library
Author: Matt Haig
Year: 2020
Genre: Time Travel Fiction
More info: October 2020 GMA Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The story is about a library with books filled with the infinite possibilities of the lives not lived. Have you ever wondered about a choice, or a path not taken?
When Nora finds herself in the library she is forced to face the choices that she made in her life- relationships, education, profession… The books in the library are endless, each an alternate reality of the endless life choices. Nora has to decide what kind of life she wants to live.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
I loved Matt Haig’s last book and was so excited to read this one. This is a magical time travel book and I loved every minute of getting to know Nora’s paths untravelled. Matt Haig is a master of magical realism.
Find this book in: Time Travel Books / Books about Books / Time Loop Books / Magical Realism / Best Books of 2020 / Adult Fantasy Novels
Sci-fi / Fantasy Time Loop Books
The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Author: Stuart Turton
Year: 2018
Genre: Fantasy
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This is one of the best books that I have read in a really long time. It is so smart and so well written- the complexity of the plot line is mind-boggling and kept me entranced until the very last page.
Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered every day at 11:00 PM. In order to escape Blackheath, Aiden Bishop must solve her murder. He will wake up every day for 8 days inhabiting a different host body.
Why Jackie loves it
Find this book in: Locked Room Mystery / Books About Puzzles / Best Time Loop Books
Plot
Ward and Camille never got over their relationship and there was never a clear reason why it ended. When they meet again in London while both applying for jobs, they reconnect and decide to give their relationship another try. Camille takes a job working at a strange antique dealer during the night shift and Ward’s job is at a high-end jeweler during the day.
When Camille starts her shift she realizes that the ghostly clientele is not what she had envisioned when she took the job. When her shift is over, she realizes she is stuck inside and cannot leave. Ward, on the other hand, is working with selfish and self-centered Gods. Somehow, he and Camille have found themselves trapped in a godly war with no escape other than the short time between night and day when they can speak with one another
Why Jackie loves it
Roselle Lim Never fails to write a creative and addicting story and this book was no exception. This adult fantasy is emotional as well as the characters come to terms with the people they were, the people they are, and who they want to be if they ever escape. This book was unputdownable and unlike any other book I have read.
Find this book in: Jewelry Novels / Best Ghost Books / New Fantasy Books 2024 / Time Loop Books
Plot
This 5-star read is making our best books of 2019 list for sure. When people start to become ill with False Memory Syndrome, nobody knows who will get it or how.
Barry is a cop who sees the devastating effect of FMS on the people who contract it. Helen is a scientist who studies memory. Barry and Helen come together to find answers and stop everyone’s past from becoming one distorted memory.
Why Jackie loves it
Blake Crouch is so smart, this book made me think about concepts I had never considered. If you like sci-fi, this is an absolute must-read. If you have never read Sci-fi, this is a perfect book to read first.
Find this book in: Best Sci-Fi Books / Time Loop Books / Best Books of 2019 / Books Set in New York / Nonlinear Narrative Novels
Expert Tip
Initially, some time loop books may be confusing when you read them Just go with it, it will all come together!
- If you are trying to pick a time loop book, start with your favorite genre. This is a list of the books that are my favorite books in the subgenres so I think you will love any book you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a time loop novel?
A time loop novel is a book where the main characters re-live days. This can happen multiple times or once. However, these stories will end where the story began.
What are examples of time loops in fiction?
I have some great examples of time loop books. Some of our favorites are Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister, and In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
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Epilogue
How many of these time loop books have you read and which was your favorite?
