A clever and original time travel romance full of heart, humour and plenty of early noughties nostalgia. Joe Greene is in his last year at Cambridge and terrified about what comes next. Everyone expects great things, the first from his school to attend Cambridge, but Joe is worried that his future will involve failing his degree and ending up back behind the bar of his parents' pub in Scotland. The problem is Joe isn't that interested in his studies, he really wants to be a poet, to be as famous as Byron. Shame he's struggling to find inspiration, to write anything meaningful.

Recently Joe has noticed some puzzling things - anonymous presents and cards in his pigeonhole, this feeling that some of the tour groups thronging the streets of Cambridge seem over interested in him and even seem to be following him. So when he meets a girl, Esi, in a coffee shop who seems to know who he is and realises the book she leaves behind is about his life - his life as a successful and famous poet- once he gets over the shock it seems to make a strange kind of sense and gives him a huge sense of relief. He's not destined to be a failure after all. and of course if the future is set in stone as Esi's book claims, then he doesn't need to worry. He will pass his degree, get together with the glamorous Diana who apparently is his muse and the love of his life and become famous. He's just not sure how. Luckily Esi is at hand to help. A runaway from the future she is here to try and change her mother's destiny and avert a future tragic accident. She will help him woo Diana if he helps her track down her mother. But the longer Joe spends with Esi, and the more he finds out about his future self, then the less sure that the future that awaits him is the future he actually wants.

This is the kind of book to read in one sitting, funny, romantic and beautifully writte, Highly recommended.

Another great time travel story from Catriona Silvey! For me it didn’t hit the heights of her previous novel Meet me in Another Life (one of my favourite books of the last 5 years), it’s still a really enjoyable read

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest opinions.

I've always loved a bit of time-travel romance; in fact, I am a sucker for it, so when I saw the cover of this book, I knew I had to read it!

Esi's and Joseph's story reads a bit into historical romance, that is, if we can call it that. I didn't understand why this book was under the mystery/thriller genre 😐.

Esi and Joseph's chemistry was obvious to me from the first time they met, but the whole time traveler's drama, the supposed book from the future, and Esi coming back to the past to save her mom were so tiresome.

And the way the book ended bothered me so much.

Thank you once again for the e-ARC.

wow what a great read! i couldn’t put this down ans loved everything about this.
the way the author pulls you in to get to know the characters make this a really interesting read and upto the last pages i still couldn’t guess what was going to happen
definitely recommended

I enjoyed this book immensely. Great characters and strong plot line. Although I don't typically enjoy time travel books, this one was a surprise hit

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this romantic comedy with a sci-fi twist, the age-old questions of fate versus free will get an entertaining treatment. "Love and Other Paradoxes" weaves together the stories of Joe Greene, an aspiring poet grappling with self-doubt at Cambridge University, and Esi, a strong-willed time-traveller with her own agenda for changing the past. What begins as a seemingly simple mission to alter the course of events becomes an exploration of causality, choice, and the unintended consequences of trying to rewrite history.

The story's strength lies in balancing romantic comedy with deeper questions about destiny and free will. While Joe dreams of poetic greatness, Esi arrives from a future where he is already a celebrated poet, inspired by his muse, Diane. Silvey cleverly explores the paradox of predetermined love: how can romance develop organically when you know it's "meant to be"? Joe's awareness of his destined connection with Diana creates a paralyzing self-consciousness that might prevent the very future he's supposed to achieve. Against the atmospheric backdrop of Cambridge, this premise generates both humorous situations and thoughtful insights about love and destiny.

However, readers familiar with Silvey's previous work, particularly the complex and emotionally nuanced "Meet Me in Another Life," might find themselves wanting more. Where "Love and Other Paradoxes" adheres safely to romantic comedy conventions, Silvey has previously demonstrated her ability to craft more sophisticated and bittersweet narratives. That said, this lighter approach succeeds admirably within the parameters of the romantic comedy genre. Fans of "About Time" and "My Old Ass" will find familiar themes here, even if it follows a more conventional path.

Verdict: A thoughtful yet predictable romance that combines time travel whimsy with familiar romantic comedy beats. While it may not push boundaries or reach the emotional depths of Silvey's previous work, the novel offers an engaging exploration of predetermined love and the paradox of destiny, making it an ideal choice for readers seeking a clever comfort read with philosophical undertones.

Recommended for: Fans of conventional time travel romance, readers who enjoy light sci-fi elements, and those looking for an uplifting comfort read with a dash of philosophy.

May not satisfy: Readers expecting the complexity of "Meet Me in Another Life" or those seeking darker, more unconventional storytelling.

Fans of Catriona Silvey’s Meet Me in Another Life will find themselves swept away once more in Love and Other Paradoxes. With its irresistible mix of time travel, quantum mechanics, and romantic tension, this novel weaves a story that’s both intellectually engaging and emotionally satisfying.

The plot centers around Joe Greene, a directionless 20-year-old Cambridge student and aspiring poet, whose encounter with Esi, a mysterious barista from the future, flips his life upside down. Esi has traveled back to 2005 on a deeply personal mission to prevent her mother’s untimely death—a tragedy that fractured her family. But her plans go awry when she becomes entangled in Joe’s journey toward fulfilling a destiny he never imagined: becoming a celebrated poet and marrying his muse, Diana.

Silvey deftly explores the complexities of fate, free will, and the butterfly effect as Joe grapples with the poetic future foretold by Esi and a book of his unwritten verses. Esi acts as Joe’s Cyrano, coaching him to win Diana’s heart while disguising her own growing feelings for him. The resulting love triangle is as poignant as it is unpredictable, raising profound questions about love, loyalty, and the power to rewrite one’s story.

Silvey’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the tension between Joe’s fumbling charm and Esi’s steely resolve. The novel’s Cambridge setting is richly detailed, and the supporting characters—particularly Rob, Joe’s eccentric roommate—add humor and texture to the story. While the time travel mechanics take a backseat to the emotional drama, they provide an intriguing backdrop that enhances the novel’s themes of destiny and self-discovery.

The pacing, while brisk, occasionally skips over key emotional beats, making the romantic connection between Joe and Esi feel slightly underdeveloped. However, the plot’s twists and turns, combined with Silvey’s knack for tying together seemingly disparate threads, deliver a satisfying conclusion that feels both inevitable and surprising.

Love and Other Paradoxes is a thoughtful, genre-bending tale that balances heart and head. Readers who enjoy romances with a speculative twist, like Ashley Poston’s The Dead Romantics or Christina Lauren’s The Soulmate Equation, will find much to love here. Silvey’s exploration of what it means to follow—or defy—our destined path is as moving as it is thought-provoking.

Many thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The book will be published on March 11, 2025.

Absolutely adored Joe and Esi and their very funny love story. It was sweet, adorable and brimming with mystery.

As a fan of time travel this book spun a special web of magic that was perfect for my Xmas Eve read.

I loved the unique premise, the lifelike setting and the chemistry between the pair. I honestly couldn't put it down.

Such a gorgeous and fun read perfect for fans of romance, time travel and mystery.

Firstly, I absolutely adore this book cover!
I'm a fan of time travel books and it's always a bonus when there is romance woven in, too. I found the plot itself quite repetitive and some of the angst between Esi and Joe seemed to be a repeat from previous chapters which felt like we weren't really moving the plot along. However I loved the futuristic concepts and the idea of the time travel tours!