You’re caught in a time loop and there’s only one way out. You have to call out your best friend.

Wake up. Friday. Clara Hart hits my car. Go to class. Anthony rates the girls. House party. Anthony goes upstairs with Clara. Drink. Clara dies. Wake up. Friday again. Clara Hart hits my car.

Why can’t I break this loop?

 Kirkus Reviews: Best Young Adult Books of the Year 2023

Chicago Public Library: Best of the Best Books 2023

A sensational YA time-loop tale.

A flicker in the fabric of time gives Spence a second chance. And a third. How many times will he watch the same girl die?

Warning: sexual assault

“What a voice. An amazing debut.” – Sue Wallman, author of I Know You Did It

“Shows us the complexities of teenage gender relations without teaching or preaching.” –  Mia Döring, author of Any Girl

“A real page-turner.” –  Helena Close, author of Things I Know

“If I had my way this fast-paced, thought-provoking and gorgeously crafted book would be required reading in every secondary school. A timely and important story.” –  Aislinn O’Loughlin, author of Big Bad Me

"Exceptional ... a careful, thoughtful, compulsively readable examination of toxic masculinity and normalised sexual abuse." – The Guardian

"Debut author Finch tackles sexual assault, toxic masculinity, and grief with precision and courage ... A devastating, essential journey. " –  Kirkus Reviews starred review

"The Eternal Return of Clara Hart is an intelligent novel about grief, sexual violence, and the impact of personal accountability.” – Foreword Reviews

“Bold and honest … More than a fast-paced novel with visible, realistic and necessary character growth that helps the reader move closer to understanding, The Eternal Return Of Clara Hart is a reflection on real life.” – The National

“This novel is a reminder of how fiction can be an ideal space for exploring philosophical questions … I am glad this superb book exists.” –  Claire Hennessy, The Irish Times

"This book is a riveting read that you will find hard to put down." – The Scotsman

“An exceptional debut that can be enjoyed by anybody, but especially by teenage boys who can connect to Spence and his struggles.” –  Paper Lanterns

"An incredible debut ... It's a rollercoaster, and you're left breathless merely watching from the outside." – ReadingZone

“Prepare to be blown away by this incredibly impressive debut.” –  Paperback Snob

“An excellent twist on the time-loop trope. It is a gripping, heart-wrenching and eye-opening story that I cannot recommend enough.” –  Lois Reads Books

“Compelling and relatable.” – Shelly Mack Books

“I adored every page of the novel, the characters are achingly real making all their actions more impactful and believable.” –  The Paper Orange Charley

“This has been my book of the year so far … I am honestly speechless about how incredible this book is.” – Total Bibliophile

"An impressive debut." – Teaching English Magazine

"Compelling, well-written and devastating."  – ***** reader review, Emily May, Goodreads

“I absolutely loved reading this book.” – ***** reader review, Goodreads

“A fantastic debut.” –  ***** reader review, Goodreads

“Incredibly readable.” –   ***** reader review, Goodreads

“It is so powerful and just such an engaging read. Every teen should read this book.” – ***** reader review, Goodreads

"The Eternal Return of Clara Hart was absolutely addictive! I stayed up way too late to finish it because I had to know what happened to Spence. This is a great time loop story, but it's much more than that and covers deep, dark issues like death, assault, male toxicity and more." – ***** reader review, NetGalley Librarian

Read a Sample Chapter

Louise grew up in a small town in the Midlands. After studying History of Art she worked for over a decade in the charity sector across women’s and LGBT+ rights, and youth arts. She now lives in the South East of England with her photographer husband, their two small dogs and too many house plants, surrounded by books, craft supplies and vintage furniture.