Reviews For Groundhog Nights
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Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 21, 2019 07:48 am Title: Chapter 12: The Penny Drops

"If this was what Socrates was like, Pam could understand why the Athenians gave him hemlock." Great line. That you reference one of the most well known philosophers during this section great. Adding in Pam's sense of sarcasm to it, also great. I really liked how you had Penny as Pam's sounding board here. It makes for a wonderful dynamic in their sisterhood. Also we have a double confirmation now from the sisters. First when Larissa told Pam that Jim's hers. Also now here with Penny not only being seen as cold toward Roy, but encouraging Pam's feelings towards Jim.

I also liked the use of Pam's line from the Beach Day speech there as well. That speech is a big moment for Pam. In canon it took her a while to get there. Here it's taken time too but she's come to a lot of the same conclusions. Roy's not right for her and there is something better out there for her.

Oh what else did I like about this chapter? Oh yeah! The conversation she has with Jim. The tension on his end is still there. As far as he knows, she's still fully committed to Roy. That he gets quiet when she starts probing deeper than the safe waters of friendship makes sense. Jim has no idea she's had the revelations she's had. I did like that he is honest with her in telling her he's in love, but it makes complete sense that he still can't bring himself to tell her who he's in love with. After all he's still probably beating himself up for taking back the teapot card at this point.

In this case, to keep using my fire starting analogy, it feels like she's not so much using the flint and steel here. Rather she's resetting the kindling and tinder. I'm not sure how much she's really aware that's happening, but it's there. In order to have a good campfire, one needs a good base from which to build said fire. Pam seems to have cleared away the old dead fire that wasn't going anywhere that was her relationship with Roy. Now it seems she's built up or is almost done building a base for a romantic relationship with Jim. Maybe a few more adjustments with how she holds the flint and steel and that fire will catch.

Great chapter.

Author's Response: Wow, thanks for the even-more-in-depth-than-usual response! I appreciate hearing about each of these things, they help confirm that I'm on the right track here and that the story is communicating what I want it to. To borrow a phrase from Churchill (and thus the setting of your current AU) "this is, perhaps, the end of the beginning": Pam has an idea now of what she wants, but now she has to put it in practice.

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: May 21, 2019 04:07 am Title: Chapter 12: The Penny Drops

Boy, oh boy! What a chapter! Penny was a very welcome addition. I loved how you made her the measured opposite to Pam - forcing Pam to answer it all for herself in a very logical way. Not to be that person, but I’m going to need the next update ASAP! I think/hope Pam’s going to find out some very agreeable things on the next Booze Cruise edition...

Author's Response: Thank you! One of the things I'm enjoying with this format is the chance to toss in whatever characters I want because I can conjure them up from Pam's changed actions. Penny was fun to play with. I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Reviewer: jloh217 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 20, 2019 10:04 pm Title: Chapter 12: The Penny Drops

Can't wait to see what happens next! :) Love this story!

Author's Response: Thank you so much! That's wonderful to hear.

Reviewer: ScrantonGirl91 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 17, 2019 07:04 pm Title: Chapter 10: Once More into the Stamford, Friends, Once More

I love Karen being a nice and happy person and I will protect every chapter that gives me so with an army of jellybeans.

Author's Response: Well then I will have to write more such chapters (though probably not in this fic)!

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: May 17, 2019 03:18 pm Title: Chapter 11: Oh, Snap

Yes, yes and yes. An enthusiastic yes to everything about this chapter. I very much loved that Larissa was back, & that she’s a bold & lovely version of Larissa. Although, I’m itching for Pam to have some of these conversations with Jim himself. I’m still dying for the “save the receptionist” line to be overheard in a little more context. It was nice to see Pam helping out her colleagues - sweet little twist there with Toby & Brenda. I’m sure her being absent would dull down the Michael factor every so slightly. As per usual, I can’t wait for the next installment.

Author's Response: Thank you thank you thank you! I assure you we will get more save the receptionist, and generally more JAM as things go forward!

Reviewer: homemadejam Signed [Report This]
Date: May 17, 2019 07:57 am Title: Chapter 11: Oh, Snap

This was intense! But I love how Pam is finding what she wants more and more each time she goes through a cycle.

Well done, once again, I really do love this story.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm really glad you're enjoying reading Pam's slow journey here as much as I am writing it!

Reviewer: Soupsnakes1018 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 16, 2019 09:46 pm Title: Chapter 1: Day 1

I love this story so much! I can’t wait to see where it ends up!!!

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm enjoying taking you on the journey, and I'm glad you're aboard!

Reviewer: BecauseOfYou Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 16, 2019 08:16 pm Title: Chapter 11: Oh, Snap

Wow! Comfect, I think this just might be my favorite story written by you!
The alternating days are so much fun and really gives the reader something different to look forward to.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a fic that gave me both of my favorite versions of Karen before either... hit by a truck Karen and friend to pam Karen. That was just brilliant!
I think the only thing I’m really kind of missing is the pam jim interactions, there’s just not a whole lot of it. I imagine at this point you’ve got things pretty much worked out but I was wondering if she invites jim on an adventure to spend some time with him? Or maybe call him up after she skips the cruise to chat with him a bit about their days. I figure at this point she’d want to get in a little extra time with him maybe.

Author's Response:

Aw, thanks so much! It's a story I've been planning to tell for a really long time, so I'm really glad it's getting this warm of a reception. Being able to fit in both the optimal Karens was just a plus ;)

 The thing with JAM interactions in this story is that I don't want to rush them; I promise they're coming, but I really want Pam to get there on her own, and that means avoiding using Jim too too much as a catalyst. That said, they do talk this next chapter...

Reviewer: SprinklesTheCat Signed [Report This]
Date: May 16, 2019 05:42 pm Title: Chapter 11: Oh, Snap

This was so much fun!

Author's Response: Thanks!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 16, 2019 02:25 pm Title: Chapter 11: Oh, Snap

Part of me kind of wishes we could have seen a bit more of Roy's reaction after Pam's speech to him and her giving back the ring. Like if he had any answer to when she said she wasn't even in the room. But then again Roy's also drunk right here, and you did imply it wasn't pretty so then again maybe not.

I also liked Kelly's line there. How Pam already has Roy AND Jim. Just goes to show that just about everyone knew she and Jim were meant for each other long before she did. Nice way to bring that out and give Pam another sign she's on the right track.

You're right it seems Pam's building up a lot of confidence here. Starting small with helping some others looks to be a good way for her to build her courage.

I am wondering if she's going to do another non-cruise night next, or head back to the boat on the next cycle. Also how she'll figure out to break up with Roy without causing the ruckus as you mention.

Author's Response:

I wanted to leave the detailed description of Roy's reaction for the next time she does it--it's the nature of repeated storytelling that it'll be a bit repetitive, so I try to focus on different details each time. 

 Thanks for the feedback; I'm glad this is working for you, and I promise to make some things clear in the next few chapters about the points you're making here ;) 

Reviewer: homemadejam Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 16, 2019 09:12 am Title: Chapter 10: Once More into the Stamford, Friends, Once More

Karen and Pam are friends (ish) and I’m here for it! Short and sweet is what you could call their interaction, and it’s everything I could’ve asked for. It’s interesting to see Karen pre-season 3 because we get to see what her and Pam could’ve been like if it wasn’t for the awkwardness of the whole Jim situation.
I’m excited to see the next groundhog! Keep it up

Author's Response: I feel like this is the kind of thing they should have done with Karen. Well, not this specifically but it would have been so nice for Pam to have a real female friend she could talk to in the office. Thanks for the review!

Reviewer: Kuri333 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 16, 2019 04:50 am Title: Chapter 10: Once More into the Stamford, Friends, Once More

Yeash! That's the fanfic Karen/Pam relationship I love, thanks so much! Great chapter! (Sorry I haven't reviewed in ages. I'll get back to it later).

Author's Response: Yeah, that friendship is addictive for me, so I'm glad you share my joy! Thanks for the review :)

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: May 16, 2019 02:26 am Title: Chapter 10: Once More into the Stamford, Friends, Once More

The second I saw the title for this chapter I thought, “oh my goodness, it’s going to be Karen!” and I was not disappointed. She’s so much more likable when she isn’t dating Jim/crushing everyones hopes & dreams for an entire season... I really loved the way you’ve used her here. I also love that Pam’s beginning to dwell on Jim much more! That bodes very well for what’s to come. Your explanation of how Pam’s friendships have disintegrated over the years felt very true to character - you know I feel for her about that. I know I’ve said this many a time, but I’m very much looking forward to seeing where you go next!

Author's Response: I'm so glad you weren't disappointed! I love Karen as a person; I just hate how the show used her, so I try at every turn to get a glimpse of the person behind the narrative obstacle. I'm glad this worked for you!

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 15, 2019 10:06 pm Title: Chapter 10: Once More into the Stamford, Friends, Once More

Great way to give Pam some more perspective on everything. I think the non-Cruise days have done really well in that regard. Allowed Pam to have the time to process everything she's been seeing through these cycles. So now she's got two big pieces of information. Jim doesn't really want to be with Katy and even if she's not willing to fully admit it yet, she wants to be with Jim. The grip on her flint and steel seems to be adjusting a bit more here in the right direction. Looking forward to what the next time on the boat brings.

Author's Response: Thank you! I think she's going to find it's all downhill from here (in the sense of easier, not worse...I hope). 

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: May 15, 2019 12:36 am Title: Chapter 9: Save the Cheerleader, Save the World?

It’s nice to see Pam digging deeper into everything happening during the Booze Cruise - especially what’s going on with Jim. I’m hoping the unexpected source is Larissa back on board? But that’s a wild guess at best. I love that the highlight of all her repeating days is the prank on Dwight. That itself is telling enough (to everyone except Pam apparently...) I wonder if the Jim stuff will pique her curiosity enough to repeat a Booze Cruise day instead of an activity from her brochure pile? I’m sure the next update will answer that one for me.

Author's Response: You'll 100% see Larissa again, but I'll be interested to see what you think of Pam's mystery confidante. Thanks for reading!

Reviewer: CasinoAirplane Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 14, 2019 10:51 pm Title: Chapter 1: Day 1

You're doing a great job with this! I get really excited at every update, please keep it going, can't wait to see what's next

Author's Response: Thanks! I consider it a point of pride to not leave Works in Progress unfinished, so I promise it'll keep getting updates.

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 14, 2019 03:41 pm Title: Chapter 9: Save the Cheerleader, Save the World?

I get where you'd say that Pam is a little further away from Jim here. After all if she thinks he's about to propose to Katy it makes sense she'd be hesitant to delve deeper into anything Jim related. However she also has a potentially huge new piece of information here. I'm sure you're going to have her over analyze it in the coming chapter, but that's all part of figuring this whole thing out.

Also confession from me. I've never seen "Groundhog Day." I know the gist of the movie obviously, but I've never actually seen it. That being said you're doing a great job here because for someone like me who hasn't seen the movie, I'm able to follow along with the parallels you're drawing between this story and the movie. Bravo for that.

Author's Response:

She'll get there pretty quick ;) but it is important I think that her initial instinct isn't "he's into me."

 I cannot recommend Groundhog Day enough, but I was trying to write this so you didn't have to have read it--I'm glad so far that's working! Thanks for the feedback. 

Reviewer: SprinklesTheCat Signed [Report This]
Date: May 14, 2019 02:34 pm Title: Chapter 1: Day 1

She could practice breaking up with Roy. Maybe she'll decide that breaking up with him will end the cycling. :-)

Author's Response: Oh, this will definitely happen :) Thanks for reading!

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: May 14, 2019 02:04 am Title: Chapter 8: Stamford Connecticut

Well, I wondered what trouble Pam would get up to with Stamford as the destination. Poor Karen? On another note, I love that Pam is thinking of life beyond Roy & seems resolved to ditch him, no matter the outcome of all this groundhog-ing.

Author's Response: Thank you! I appreciate your continued feedback along the way :)

Reviewer: SprinklesTheCat Signed [Report This]
Date: May 13, 2019 09:00 pm Title: Chapter 1: Day 1

I was so excited to see a new chapter! This was fun.

Author's Response: Thanks! I'm updating more because my academic semester ended so I have the time now...

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 13, 2019 06:25 pm Title: Chapter 8: Stamford Connecticut

What would I do? Check for any problems with airway, breathing, or circulation. Check for any life threatening injuries, check for broken bones, try to splint what I could, prep for transport, and then transport to the nearest ER, in case you're wondering. Thanks for the shout out there. You didn't get anything wrong with just having Pam stand there and watch.

Lots of great stuff this time, even for a non-Booze cruise cycle. I really liked how Pam made breakfast for herself this time. She's not only thinking of what would make her happy, but doing things as well. In this instance regardless of what Roy might say. It's great to see her growth show with a scene like that.

Dwight going off on his heritage like that was also fun. Hey if I'm not going to have German Dwight in "Silver Wings," feel free to use that for your own. You did a great job with it.

Going back to my flint and steel analogy from a couple chapters ago. Seems like Pam was getting closer igniting some better sparks here. The line with, "This feels right, Pam though. Nothing else in this stupid day goes right, but playing pranks with Jim always feels right." Hopefully she remembers that feeling and decides to investigate that a bit more.

Author's Response:

I figured you'd have a full panoply of directions for those EMTs ;)

Thanks for noticing the details of the non-BC cycles as well as the BC ones. To translate (via Google) what Dwight says in German here: "beet farmer," "maternal grandfather," "groundhog handler." And Pam is definitely getting closer on the Jim front...though also, as you'll see in the next chapter, further away. 

Reviewer: homemadejam Signed [Report This]
Date: May 12, 2019 11:55 pm Title: Chapter 7: Mimosas Ahoy

You’ve kept this story so exciting and so jam packed with action and emotion.
I really like how Jim changes with Pam in a way, like he’s different to everyone else in the office because he isn’t doing the same things over and over again. I can’t wait to see what happens with the ‘save the receptionist’ line, I feel like that could be a real turning point.

Author's Response: Thank you! I think this is the kind of turning point that's going to embed itself in her subconscious, rather than the kind that quickly changes everything, but you're right, it's very important.

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 12, 2019 08:12 pm Title: Chapter 7: Mimosas Ahoy

I am very excited about Pam overhearing the save the receptionist line! I can’t wait for her to figure that one out... Oh Roy. Truthfully, I think deep down he means well. He just hasn’t “evolved” from his teenage form as much as Pam has. But, this whole engaged without setting a date doesn’t count thing is very unfair to Pam. Looking forward to seeing where Pam makes it to in the next installment.

Author's Response:

She will definitely think about it and figure it out...eventually ;). Next installment is a little bit of a vacation from her actually figuring things out, but she will be back at it in chapter 9 for sure. Thanks for the review! 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: May 12, 2019 06:26 pm Title: Chapter 7: Mimosas Ahoy

I really like how you've got Jim here. That even though everyone else is the same, he's a little different despite the cycle she's in. Nice subtle touch.

If you're still taking suggestions, maybe after Pam leaves on a non-Booze cruise cycle, she needs to return to the Office for some reason. Jim sees one of the brochures and comments on it. The next, "day" that brochure is still sitting on her desk, rather than resetting.

I do still have a couple jellybeans for this story, but if things happen how they should, I'm saving them for that moment. But this story is still worthy of many a jelly bean.

Author's Response: Thank you! I do think Jim's changes are a result of Pam changing and him paying attention to her (unlike everyone else), so I don't think he's an exception to the repeating day magic, just a different case: like how in Groundhog Day Rita (Bill Murray/Phil Connors's producer) does things differently because she's reacting to Phil's behavior, whereas the people in the diner always put the dishes down at the wrong time no matter what happens because they aren't. 

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 12, 2019 02:41 am Title: Chapter 6: I'm Game if You Are

I like that Pam is still gaining things from the non-booze cruise days. Some thing I always think about watching The Office is Pam’s lack of good female friends - which seems pretty natural given her relationship with Roy. Jim really is her best friend, I wonder if she will talk to him about this repeating of her days at all... I keep thinking that if it were me, I would have a few friends that I would trust enough to talk to them about what was happening (even if they thought I was insane, I know/hope(?) they’d still listen). I kind of feel for Pam reading this - she considers talking to her parents, but in a way I feel like it highlights that she doesn’t really have anyone to go to... (except maybe Jim). On another note, I apologize for turning this review of your lovely chapter into my ramblings!

Author's Response:

Thank you! I agree firmly about Pam's lack of female friendship, and we will see some improvement in that in this fic (I suppose we already have with Melanie). Also, I think she's going to be very chary about telling Jim about this because I think Pam is more self-contained than that: but certainly, he's going to be the only one she does talk to, and it will probably happen in the next few cycles.

Never apologize for ramblings! I really like hearing what you're thinking about where this story is going, should go, might go...so I enjoy reading whatever you have to say. 

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