Forever Ends on Friday

4 stars - I expected a whole different execution of the book, but because it was different, I enjoyed this read. It's fast paced with short chapters. The only thing that threw me off a little is the very confusing beginning (and the middle a little bit) because it goes from second person pov to first person pov, back to second, but it's not consistent, so that was confusion to me. It is a heavy book so be prepared

After only two books, Justin A. Reynolds has become one of my favourite young adult authors. His novels are exceptionally compelling, emotionally memorable, and always worth the adventure. Like Opposite of Always, Forever Ends on a Friday is contemporary but has sci-fi elements that add excitement to a wholesome foundation. In the book, Jamal’s best friend Quincy dies in a freak accident. Their friendship was in ruins after Jamal blamed Quincy for his parents' death, and now Jamal is heartbroken over the loss of his best friend. But when an extraordinary opportunity means Quincy gets a second chance at life, Jamal is determined to repair their friendship and finally say goodbye. I love the care and tenderness in which Reynolds examines grief, depression and redemption, especially in teenagers. Jamal and Quincy’s friendship is a true bond, which becomes evident in their difficult pasts and depth of their heartfelt conversations. After reading Opposite of Always this doesn’t surprise me, but I adore the levity Reynolds uses to create a hard-hitting and an entertaining read. The balance is perfect recipe for a profound contemporary story. There’s a strikingly relatable pain in this novel that I think almost every reader can relate to. The believability of the emotion despite the fictitious narrative is both beautiful and heart-breaking. It’s a story that certainly leaves the reader with a lot to think about, but the importance of living every moment to its fullest is abundantly clear. One of my favourite elements of the book is its structure. The chapters are numbered, and descend from 100, with some of them only being a page long. This, along with the connections between the characters, their tangible trauma, and the discovery of healing while losing, makes Forever Ends on a Friday a stunningly poignant read. For more book reviews and posts, check out my blog or follow along on Instagram 📚✨