BOOK REIVEW: OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS BY JUSTIN A. REYNOLDS

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Published March 5, 2019

Hardcover, 457 pages

MY GOODREADS RATING 3.5/5 STARS

(Thanks to Edelweiss & Katherine Tegen Books, I received an eARC)

 

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS: 

Jack Ellison King. King of Almost.

He almost made valedictorian.

He almost made varsity.

He almost got the girl . . . 

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he’s falling—hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. Jack’s curse of almost is finally over.

But this love story is . . . complicated. It is an almost happily ever after. Because Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Beautiful, radiant Kate. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he’s willing to do—and let go—to save the people he loves.

 

MY THOUGHTS:

At first I was bit uncertain how I was going to feel about this book. I absolutely am shocked that this is a debut novel, the writing style was just so gorgeous! I loved that each “loop” we went through was kept on my toes wondering what choices Jake was going to make, and how or if these choices will change things.

This book was heavily character-based and worked so well. I fell in love with the main character’s so easily. I loved that they were realistically dealing with their own issues. Jack was such a hopeless romantic and I loved seeing his struggles with dealing with Kate and his friends. There was just so much he wanted to fix or change and he was so selfless at points, I just wanted to hug him. I’d be happy to have a Jack in my life.

Overall I enjoyed this one, but found it a bit repetitive (haha time travel I know, I know). It just felt like it was never going to come to an end, at least one I would like. Some parts could definitely be left out, but I would assume the point is each choice changes our lives, immensely or the tiniest bit.