For me, romance doesn’t have to be original for me to like it; I like the predictability of it, and the way it’s comforting and sometimes unrealistic – it makes a great escapism. But I have to say, I loved the originality of this romance. Time travel and the ground hog day trope is hardly new, but what Reynolds successfully does here is employ it in a way to give the rest of the story a deeper meaning. Yes it’s about two teenagers falling in love but it’s also about Jack discovering the layers of the world around him and allowing him to not take what he has for granted.
With regards to the time travel itself, I do think you have to suspend your disbelief a little and not ask too many questions, so if you’re happy to let the logistics slide, you’ll have no problem with it!
With regards to the time travel itself, I do think you have to suspend your disbelief a little and not ask too many questions, so if you’re happy to let the logistics slide, you’ll have no problem with it!
Title: Opposite of Always
Author: Justin A. Reynolds
Type: Fiction
Published: 2019
Pages: 449
TW: Death, Chronic Illness, Racism, Car Crash, Death, Infidelity, Violence
As flawed as a teenager should be this book is relatable while also being wildly implausible. It’s got enough excitement to keep you interested and enough likeable characters to ensure you still care. A heart-warming and life-affirming read, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Opposite of Always is a young adult romance with a groundhog day style twist; Jack meets Kate at a party and the two of them instantly hit it off. The conversations flow easily and Jack thinks this is the girl could be his happily ever after. But then Kate dies. And when she does, it sends Jack back in time to the moment they met at the party once again, to meet her again, fall for her again, and (he hopes) save her. But how many times will it take for Kate to finally be saved, and what is Jack risking and losing in order to do so.
It’s also got a great cast of side characters and in particular Jack’s two best friends Franny and Jillian embody just about the two best fiends anyone could ask for. Equally supportive as they are constructive critical, the two not only allow this book to radiate the warmth and joy I look for in the genre, but they also again give the book layers to allow Jack to develop as a protagonist throughout.
Review overview
CHARACTERS9
QUOTABILITY8.5
Summary
“Maybe it’s not how something ends that matters. Maybe it’s about having something good, even for a little while.”
