Book Review – In Five Years

In Five Years utterly destroyed me in the best possible way. As someone who values deep friendships above all else, this book hit me right in the feels. I curled up with this one on a rainy Sunday afternoon with a cup of jasmine tea, expecting a light romance, but what I got was so much more profound.

Let’s talk about what this book actually is – because the marketing can be a bit misleading. If you’re picking this up expecting a swoony romance or a time-travel story, you might want to adjust your expectations. While there are romantic elements, at its heart this is a powerful story about friendship, destiny, and how life rarely follows our carefully laid plans.

The story follows Dannie, a driven corporate lawyer in New York City who seems to have it all figured out – the perfect job, the perfect fiancé, the perfect life plan. But on the night of her engagement, she has an incredibly vivid dream about being with a different man five years in the future. When she wakes up, she can’t shake the feeling that this dream means something more. The way Serle crafted this opening hooked me immediately – I’m always fascinated by stories that play with fate versus free will.

What really impressed me was how Serle subverts our expectations. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it takes a sharp turn that completely reframes everything you thought you knew. I gasped out loud at one particular revelation – my poor cat actually jumped off my lap! The author handles these twists with such sensitivity and emotional intelligence that they never feel manipulative.

The friendship between Dannie and Bella forms the emotional core of this novel, and it reminded me so much of my own relationship with Amy. These women support each other through thick and thin, even when things get messy and complicated. Their dynamic feels authentic – they fight, they make up, they know each other’s deepest secrets and greatest flaws. It’s refreshing to see female friendship portrayed with such nuance and depth.

Serle’s writing style is clean and precise, much like her protagonist Dannie. The descriptions of New York City feel lived-in rather than touristy – you can tell she knows this world intimately. I particularly loved how food was used throughout the story as a metaphor for Dannie’s character growth. As someone who also finds comfort in routine (I eat the same breakfast every single day), I related to how challenging it can be to step outside those carefully constructed boundaries.

The emotional impact of this book snuck up on me. I wasn’t expecting to be so deeply moved, but by the final chapters, I was full-on ugly crying into my tea. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to call your best friend immediately and tell them how much you love them (which I did, much to Amy’s confusion since it was nearly midnight).

While this book deals with some heavy themes, it never feels oppressive. There’s a thread of hope running through even the darkest moments. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful things in life are the ones we never planned for.

One minor quibble – I wished we’d gotten to spend more time with some of the secondary characters. David, in particular, felt a bit underdeveloped at times. But this is Dannie’s story, and ultimately, I think the focus on her journey works well.

This isn’t a book that fits neatly into any one genre box. It’s part women’s fiction, part literary fiction, with elements of romance and magical realism woven throughout. What it definitely isn’t is a straightforward love story – and I think that’s precisely what makes it special.

In Five Years is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the final page. It made me think deeply about my own life choices and the nature of love in all its forms. I found myself highlighting numerous passages that resonated with me about friendship, grief, and the courage it takes to let go of our carefully constructed plans.

If you’re in the mood for a deeply moving story about friendship and self-discovery, one that will make you laugh, cry, and immediately want to hug your best friend, pick this one up. Just make sure you have tissues handy – trust me, you’re going to need them.