Publication Date: 15 April 2025
Genre: YA Fantasy / Romance / Magical Realism
Book Description:
9 minutes and 53 seconds isn't enough time to change the world. It's not even enough time to finish a biology exam.
But 16-year-old junior, PJ "Slip" Ellis, gets to repeat the most anxiety-inducing parts of her life again and again. Because her panic attacks send her 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past, which means she'll do whatever she can to avoid triggering her nerves. And she's learned to deal with her anxiety...mostly.
At least, until Ethan Morrow appears in class. Now, PJ is falling for Ethan, and her anxiety-once under control-is quickly spiraling out of hand. So, PJ's determined to avoid Ethan with every slip.
If only the solution were so easy. Ethan appears in PJ's life no matter what path she takes, no matter how many times she slips. Is it fate? Kismet? Organized chaos? One way or another, PJ must make peace with herself if she ever wants a shot at true happiness with-or without-Ethan Morrow in her life.
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SUMMARY
Slip follows the story of sixteen-year-old Penelope Jane "PJ" Ellis, who has a unique and challenging ability—whenever she experiences anxiety or panic attacks, she's sent exactly 9 minutes and 53 seconds into the past. This unusual temporal displacement, which PJ calls "slipping", has become her coping mechanism for navigating the stressful moments of her teenage life. She's developed strategies to manage both her anxiety and her slips, creating a delicate balance that works—most of the time.
PJ's carefully constructed world begins to unravel when Ethan Morrow, an old classmate, returns to school after moving back from California. As PJ finds herself developing feelings for Ethan, her anxiety—which she thought she had under control—begins spiraling. What's most perplexing is that no matter how many times she slips to avoid Ethan, he continues to appear in her life through different circumstances. Even more startling, Ethan seems to remember events from her "slips" that should have been erased—something that's never happened with anyone else.
The novel explores PJ's home life with her workaholic but loving single mother, with whom she communicates primarily through handwritten notes. PJ's friendship with her best mate Mariana Salvadore provides grounding support as she navigates the complications of her condition. Throughout the story, PJ grapples with whether to reveal her ability to Ethan, especially after previous failed attempts to confide in her mother. The central question becomes whether PJ can make peace with her anxiety and her unique ability to give herself a chance at happiness.
MY THOUGHTS
Storms has crafted a refreshingly original take on the magical realism genre with Slip. What immediately struck me was how seamlessly the fantastical element of time-slipping integrates into the otherwise grounded narrative—a hallmark of magical realism. Unlike traditional sci-fi or fantasy tropes that often over-explain supernatural mechanics, Storms treats PJ’s slipping ability as an organic extension of her emotional reality. The 9-minute-53-second rewinds are not just plot devices but visceral manifestations of anxiety itself, blurring the line between psychological experience and literal magic in a way that feels deeply human. Haven't we all wished we could go back and redo those moments when anxiety gets the better of us? PJ actually can, and watching her navigate this power brings both humour and poignancy to the narrative.
The character dynamics are absolutely brilliant. The dialogue between PJ, Ethan and Mariana flows naturally and often had me chuckling aloud. Their banter feels authentic to teenage friendships without falling into the trap of trying too hard to sound "young". PJ's relationship with her hardworking single mum is portrayed with nuance—there's genuine love there, alongside the realistic frustrations of a teenager who wishes for more parental presence.
Storms handles the mental health aspects of the story with remarkable sensitivity. The conversations between PJ and Mariana about anxiety and mental wellbeing are thoughtfully constructed and genuinely moving. These moments provide valuable insights without ever feeling preachy, which is quite an achievement in YA literature where such themes can easily become heavy-handed.
Where the novel falters somewhat is in its pacing. The second half leans heavily into romantic tension at the expense of leveraging slipping’s unique storytelling possibilities. While Storms wisely avoids over-explaining the ability’s mechanics (a strength of the magical realism approach), I found myself wishing for more creative applications of the slips themselves. For instance, how might PJ’s relationship with her power shift if she actively engaged with it rather than solely reacting to anxiety triggers? The narrative’s focus on Ethan, while emotionally grounded, occasionally sidelines the very device that makes PJ’s journey so distinctive.
I was also slightly perplexed by PJ's reluctance to tell Ethan about her ability when she already knows he somehow remembers her slips. This hesitation feels somewhat contrived, especially given that he's demonstrated an awareness that should make him the perfect confidant. It's a small logical inconsistency in an otherwise well-constructed narrative.
Despite these minor quibbles, Slip delivers a compelling story that balances its supernatural premise with authentic emotional depth. The novel excels at depicting the everyday struggles of teenage life alongside extraordinary circumstances, making PJ's journey relatable despite its fantastical elements.
VERDICT
Rating: 4 Stars
Source: Author
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