Name: Rebecca Hurd's review of Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
Item: Opposite of Always
Rating: 5
Author: Rebecca Hurd

Justin A. Reynolds

“One of the best love stories I’ve ever read.” —Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give “Read this one, reread it, and then hug it to your chest.” —Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Debut author Justin A. Reynolds delivers a hilarious and heartfelt novel about the choices we make, the people we choose, and the moments that make a life worth reliving. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and John Green. 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. But then 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. 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 to save the people he loves.

Opposite of Always

Georgia Carr

Rebecca Hurd

This was such a great story!! It was sad, funny, and hopeful!! Such a great group of characters that you genuinely root for and hope that everyone gets their happily ever after!! Highly Recommend!!!!

"One of the best love stories I've ever read." --Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give "Read this one, reread it, and then hug it to your chest." --Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda Debut author Justin A. Reynolds delivers a hilarious and heartfelt novel about the choices we make, the people we choose, and the moments that make a life worth reliving. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and John Green. 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. But then 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. 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 to save the people he loves.

Kaitlin Simpson

** spoiler alert **
           This book was charming and a great read! However, the ending leaves a lot left to be desired. It’s like there were two endings to the story, both a negative and a positive outcome. Honestly, just give me one ending, there’s no need to confuse the reader....

Sarah Sammis

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds at its most basic is a charming YA romance between a black high school senior and a black college freshman. They meet at a party and have a year long friendship that becomes something more. But there is one big thing standing in their way: her sickle cell anemia.

The book could have been a romance with a happily ever after. Or it could have been a tragedy, written from the clarity of grief and time.

This book is neither and both. Jack King, the protagonist is up front about his situation. In the first chapter, on the very first pages, he explains that he's a time traveler.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comm...

Ally

** spoiler alert **
           although it did not feel repetitive, it was slow. also, it seemed like he got off the hook easily-like the punishments were unrealistic

Kelci

4.5 stars. Didn’t read the description before starting but I absolutely loved it!

Victoria

I know it's basically part of the plot but it's just so fcking repetitive that it just got boring. Also, not the ending that I was expecting and frankly, it was a disappointing one.

I'd say this was a meh.

dija

Melsriana

Love it so much. Very interesting book. It kinda reminds me of my purpose in life and to actually value the time and people that i have now with me

Sade A

⭐⭐.5 Stars
"But i only see Kate. I only feel Kate"

It's easy to think that The Opposite of Always brings something refreshingly new to the YA scene, unfortunately it doesn't quite manage to shake the curse of most YA books - an annoying insistence on championing love at all cost.

📌Plot - So this book focuses on Jack King. We're made to understand that he's tried a couple of things and hasn't really stuck with them. At this point i'd like to point out that the character is 18 or 19 so i can't honestly say that picking a bunch of "career" moves and not following all the way through is a cause for alarm or enough reason to be labelled "an almost guy". I mean he's just graduating high school. 
➡️ which leads me to the fact that i thought the blurb was slightly misleading cos from all that was said i was expecting adult characters not people barely out of puberty.
"Jackie, it's one thing to be wrapped up in this girl...but not at the expense of the people who love you, who've been here for you".
From the time Kate's character is introduced in the book, that's basically all we get from Jack. It was tiring.
Picture this:

katekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekatekate

This was basically Jack for most of the book and while i loved Kate's character, (she was ro be fair, hilarious) i honestly did not understand why Jack cared for her so much to the point that he was willing to basically say fuck all to his friends and family for a girl he just met like i dunno, 2 seconds ago. Before you could blink, he's madly in love?? I'm sorry but i wasn't convinced and the author in no way convinced me, why i was supposed to buy and root for their love except he was relying on some universal fact that people are just somehow supposed to root for love.


The mystery illness of the plot also threw me for a loop cos by the time i found out what it was, i was like, why on earth was she acting like talking about it was going to bring about the end of the world? Also how TF had Jack never heard about the illness she had?? Are there really people out there in the world...America? that haven't heard about it? 

I would also like to point out that i felt the race card put in this book was disingenuous. Not because race could not be introduced into this book but it was put in in such a way that honestly, even though this book was mainly PoC characters did not feel sincere. It felt like the author was ticking some sort of checklist that the book had to have because the characters were PoC and not because it acutally mattered to the plot. The whole scene felt like an afterthought to me, and a badly thought out one at that. 

So what did i love about this book?
At the end, not a whole lot, if i'm being honest. 
📌 I loved the writing. Even though the plot didn't eventually work out for me, the writing was definitely something i could get behind as it wasn't all hearts and poetry but really how you'd expect teenagers to speak.
📌PoC Characters all the way. Definitely a refreshing change to read characters that aren't white.
📌 The book cover. Ok i feel like i'm grasping at straws now but the book cover was definitely one of the reasons i purchased this book in the first place so i feel it deserves a place on my list.

 All in all, I wanted more from this book.
I would have loved to read more on Jillian, Franny and Jack dynamic or even as individuals cos i felt there was definitely a story there especially on Jillian's and Franny's individual lives. Unfortunately, in my opinion, these all got pushed to the back burner because love stories are more important apparently, and nothing else can co-exist with a love story of such magnitude in YA.

dorah luxieux

it was a good book, but it wasn’t a book i would read again. i wanted to finish it so bad like just so i could get it done with.

Marloes

7.43 on CAWPILE

Absolutely adored the story, the writing style and the short chapters (which made me fly through this book like it was nothing), but I have to be honest here and mention that the characters didn't do it for me. They weren't bad by any means, but I didn't absolutely love them either.

giorgia :)

** spoiler alert **
           i feel like the ending could have been a bit more dramatic. and also at the end it says that he was in the time loop for over a dozen times or something? that doesn’t make sense because didn’t he say on the last one that it was the fifth or sixth time. and also he says that there were loops that he just did nothing bc he was so tired and stuff, U COULD HAVE SHOWN US THAT!!! IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO MUCH MORE SAD TO READ AND MORE HAPPY WHEN HE GOT OUT OF IT. i wanna know what happens to kate and jack in the future too

Justin Reynolds

'One of the best love stories I've ever read.' Angie Thomas, bestselling author of The Hate U Give. From debut author justin a. reynolds comes The Opposite of Always, a razor-sharp, hilarious and heartfelt novel about the choices we make, the people we choose and the moments that make life worth reliving. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and John Green. When Jack and Kate meet at a party, he knows he's falling - hard. Soon she's meeting his best friends and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. But then 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. 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 to save the people he loves. 'Read this one, reread it, and then hug it to your chest.' Becky Albertalli, bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

Alice Myles

I LOVED LOVED LOVED THIS that's all I have to say right now other than i love jack king with my whole heart

Abi Hills

I should have learnt my lesson by now but nope. I just don't get on with young adult anymore. Also, I started reading this two years ago, forgot about it and decided to read it again this year. I wanted to like it, I really did but I felt like I had to push through to read it rather than enjoying it. I mean it was a cool concept but it didn't meet my expectations. Also yes, for the most part, I've grown out of young adult books, not all of them but enough. 

Since there weren't too many problems with it and I can see other people enjoying it, I'm not gonna rate it lower than three stars. Also, it was pretty interesting but I can't really say it was much more than that.

Lincy

Eszter Baranyi

I liked how it was a romance from a guy's point of view. The characters were nice, the plot also. It didn't stand out to me, but it was a good read

Kyra

i love the time loop storyline. seriously, i could read and watch every story with this trope. just so interesting and how every small action has its effect. 

this book was honestly so refreshing. not just the subtle yet so meaningful representation and diversity, but the modernity of the characters, the dialogues, the narrative voice. every single thing was so refreshing and easy-going. a simple but real and memorable book. 

jack and kate are honestly so great. shipshipship! their love overwhelmed me so so much. i loved how they fell in love every time, regardless of what happened. 

Stefanie Sugia

"Because big lesson number one is this: all the time travel in the world can't save the people you love."

  "...and yes, I'm absolutely afraid—of the future, of the unknown, life's nasty twists and unexpected turns—but also I realize that I'm incredibly lucky, to have so many, and so much. I wonder how I got to be so lucky."
Right after the release of this book, I was immediately intrigued because it received so much attention—despite it being the debut of Justin A. Reynolds, and the cover looks so cute! Everyone knows I'm weak towards beautiful book covers 😂. After I'm finished with the book that I'm currently reading, I instantly picked this book up without knowing what the story is going to be about. And now that I've finished reading it, I can honestly say that this is indeed a delightful book to read. I really enjoyed the writing style from the start, the characters are just so lovable, and it's definitely a page-turner. Whenever I have free time, I'm always eager to get back to this book because I'm dying to find out how the story is going to end. At first I thought it would focus on the romance side of the story, but turns out it's so much more than that. This book is so heartwarming yet also heart-wrenching at times 💖.
  "Am I something to do something different? Change something this time around?"

  "Because if there's one thing I've learned, it's that nothing's promised. That you have to treat second chances like an endangered species."
The book is written from the first point of view of our main character, Jack King. He's a great narrator and really fun to read. We get to see his honest thoughts and his struggle as he's trying to figure out the time travel thing and how to save the people he loves. There are times when I'm annoyed with his character, but at the same time he's so relatable and I can understand the reason behind his actions. I personally don't really like the instalove factor of the story, but I have to admit the chemistry between Jack and Kate is there. Whenever they are together, their conversations seems effortless which naturally made them grew closer to one another very quickly.

As I said earlier, the side characters in this book are just so lovable! If I have to choose a favorite character, it'll be Franny—Jack's best friend, who's struggling with his dad's return from jail. He's such a loyal person, which is why it breaks my heart when Jack once decided to betray him in ways that was so unbelievable. I could only gape in disbelief when I read that part; but even then, Franny was heartbroken more so because he lost his best friends, not at Jack's betrayal. Despite his insecurity, Franny is such a sweetheart and I think he deserves the best outcome. I adore his moments with Jack's parents, because that kind of relationship is what he longed for with his dad. 😭
  "Nothing good in life comes easy, but it's about deciding each day that you will stick with it. You choose to stay, to work hard, to love, and you keep choosing."
Another thing I love about this book is the underlying message of the story. Every single time Jack repeated a part of his life, he kept trying to fix things, save the people he love, be there for his friends—but at the same time he has to make sacrifices. This part reminded me that sometimes we can't have it all. No matter what decision we make, we might end up hurting someone else or even lose them. It's heartbreaking to see Jack tries so hard to make everyone around him happy—since he knows exactly what's going to happen—but at the end of the day, he finally realized that he can't. I came to the conclusion that we just have to live our lives doing the best that we can; embracing the unknown future that is full of unexpected twists and turns. 

Overall, this is such a wonderful debut by Justin A. Reynolds! I would definitely try and pick up his next work in the future. The plot was really interesting, even though the ending was a bit anti-climactic which made me slightly disappointed. I wish the story had a satisfying closure that I was hoping for. But oh well, it still deserves a 4.5 stars from me, because I had a blast reading this book. It's a heartwarming story about friendship, family, and love that made me feel all the feels! I'll surely miss all the lovely characters in this book. Looking forward to what Justin A. Reynolds is going to write next! 😊"Only I'm learning that sometimes it's not what you say that matters most. Or not even what you don't say. Those things are cool, helpful even. But it's about doing. Do something. Do anything. Do what you can and then when it feels like you've done all you could, do more." 

Read the full review here:
http://www.thebookielooker.com/2019/0...

nelly sanchez

4★


I will never get over this book. The characters? Elite. The chemistry? Elite. The writing? Elite. The plot? Elite. LITERALLY EVERYTHING? ELITE. This was such a beautiful romance with such pure love (I would give anything for a love like Jack and Kate) and so many funny moments. I would go from crying to laughing to everything in between but in the best way. It was such a fluffy, easy read with the perfect happy ending and I would recommend this to everyone who loves a good romance.

Tatyana

This story was fun, quirky, flirty, and cute. Poor Jack was going through it with these loops. I usually don't care for repetitive chapters but obviously that's what you get in a time loop. However as the story goes on it gets exciting and I definitely had my wtf, oh snap moment in this one. 
Jack handled it pretty well because I don't think I could handle seeing someone I love die over and over again.

Sofie

2.5 stars.

I really enjoyed the writing style of this, but man, did it get old. And I've read many time-travel books, so it's not just an issue with the genre. It was just this. I felt no connection to Kate and Jack. Maybe the first time through the loop should have delved more into that so I was actually rooting for Jack to find his way out, to save Kate. But I just didn't really care.

Took me longer to read than usual. And I've been in self-isolation, so the fact that this book took me a few days to finish is saying something.

But two thumbs up for POC characters!

Gabriela

It was quite a nice contemporary YA with a little supernatural twist (time loop). I liked the relationships between characters and time loops were not tedious or awkward to read. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars but Goodreads doesn't have half stars.
It was easy and fast read, however, my small personal peeve was that weird feeling I had sometimes when I could just see a bad decision coming and I got like super anxious about it in advance (even if a couple of time what I was afraid is gonna happen didn't happen). But it reminded me why I don't read much of books about modern teens - the character's emotionalism and decision making can get me second hand anxious. But that's more of a me thing.
Also I picked it up as my attempt to read books with more diverse characters by more diverse authors. It was fun, and I liked that while all the main cast were POC they all had different life situations and family lives.

Georgia Carr &
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

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