planetsusan's review against another edition
4.0
"But almost means you were there. You did all you could. In the end, it's the smallest decisions that matter most. The seemingly insignificant choices we make every day- To be honest with the people we love and with ourselves- To let go of the things we can't control, and appreciate the things we can. Sometimes it's hard to see how much these things mean. But they add up. They mean everything. Take it from someone's who's seen the future."
I usually don't read 500 paged novels (if I ever do) this quickly. I loved the characters and their development and although they kept going back to the same scene I was surprised and interested the whole time. I would say the secondary characters are well fleshed out and the main character doesn't suffer from annoying main character syndrome. Jack King was quite selfish and my favourite character was Franny, but of course Jack had a lot going on and he did end up figuring it out in the end, so no points taken off there.
My first problem was with a bit of the writing, it was awkward and some lines were straight up necessary, or could have a better description. In all honesty that's my take, the novel holds up well and is perfectly readable/ enjoyable. But, the other issue was the severe cheesiness of Jack King. Especially when he first meets Kate. He does get called out on it in a joking way, and he acknowledges it but it's still like come on man.
If you want the time travel, trying to love each other no matter what arc, The Good Place does it the best. Eleanor (the main character) is afraid of love and being vulnerable and so it's more meaningful and hearbreaking when she finds it and loses it with Chidi, again and again. Jack King is already cheesed up and ready to spur out heartfelt words without us feeling them.
I usually don't read 500 paged novels (if I ever do) this quickly. I loved the characters and their development and although they kept going back to the same scene I was surprised and interested the whole time. I would say the secondary characters are well fleshed out and the main character doesn't suffer from annoying main character syndrome. Jack King was quite selfish and my favourite character was Franny, but of course Jack had a lot going on and he did end up figuring it out in the end, so no points taken off there.
My first problem was with a bit of the writing, it was awkward and some lines were straight up necessary, or could have a better description. In all honesty that's my take, the novel holds up well and is perfectly readable/ enjoyable. But, the other issue was the severe cheesiness of Jack King. Especially when he first meets Kate. He does get called out on it in a joking way, and he acknowledges it but it's still like come on man.
If you want the time travel, trying to love each other no matter what arc, The Good Place does it the best. Eleanor (the main character) is afraid of love and being vulnerable and so it's more meaningful and hearbreaking when she finds it and loses it with Chidi, again and again. Jack King is already cheesed up and ready to spur out heartfelt words without us feeling them.
lpreads22's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ayvarhs's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nelly014's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aishareadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
Ahhhhhh what can I say...
I guess all I can say is read this booook.
It is so unbelievably pure. Jack is an amazing protagonist and I love how the bittersweet moments were mixed with comedy.
I guess all I can say is read this booook.
It is so unbelievably pure. Jack is an amazing protagonist and I love how the bittersweet moments were mixed with comedy.
solarvenusreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
rfonta69801's review against another edition
3.0
3.25 stars
Ughhh, I have words for this book. Let me just say this, it was OK. Like it wasn't bad. I think the concept for the book was extremly cool in different reasons. However, there were things that I disliked, literally 3 pages into the book, he falls in love with a girl. so I don't really like insta-love. Second off, he kinda felt like off in a way, like first off all he cares about is some girl that he jsut met and no one else. I did love kate hoever, she was really nice.
Overall, this book was ok. If uyou like insta-love then yes of course you should definitlety read it.
Hope you all have a happy and healthy day!!
BYE!!!
Ughhh, I have words for this book. Let me just say this, it was OK. Like it wasn't bad. I think the concept for the book was extremly cool in different reasons. However, there were things that I disliked, literally 3 pages into the book, he falls in love with a girl. so I don't really like insta-love. Second off, he kinda felt like off in a way, like first off all he cares about is some girl that he jsut met and no one else. I did love kate hoever, she was really nice.
Overall, this book was ok. If uyou like insta-love then yes of course you should definitlety read it.
Hope you all have a happy and healthy day!!
BYE!!!
micaelamariem's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I just finished one of my first books of the month, a Book of the Month pick from a few months ago, Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds.
Essentially, Opposite of Always is a Groundhog’s Day retelling. Jack, the main character, meets Kate, the girl of his dreams. They could have had a whirlwind romance. But she dies. And while that should be the end, Jack finds himself back to the same day he met Kate. Again and again, stuck in this endless time loop trying to save Kate.
The author, Justin A. Reynolds, is an author from Ohio. Opposite of Always was his debut and it won the Indies Introduce Top Ten Debut Title and became a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Apparently, it’s also being adapted for film.
My initial impression is that while I enjoyed the book, I’m not sure I’m the kind of reader that likes time loops or time travel. I wasn’t sure before, but now I think those are things I’m just going to steer clear of. That being said, the story was still compelling. Particularly because the crux of the narrative lied with the characters.
Jack, the main character, always feels like he doesn’t measure up, especially against his two best friends. Kate is working against an illness she doesn’t want to define her life. Both Jillian and Franny are coming to terms with nontraditional families and troubles with their respective fathers. Through it all, Jack is working on who he is, how he can save his love, and how he can be a good friend. The main lesson, or theme, I took from the storyline was that sometimes instead of fixing the issue, it’s important just to be there and do what you can.
“Don’t be afraid. Take chances. And when those don’t work out, take more.”
For the most part, the book was also well-written. As a YA romance/science fiction, the chapters were short and sometimes, the main character was frusturating in his shallow thoughts and mistakes he made. But hey, that’s being a teenager. I think, perhaps, the main thing that annoyed me about Jack was how quickly he changed from the girl he was pining after to claiming affection for a new girl. It was all very “insta-love” and I really am not a fan of that.
Overall, however, I think the book met my expectations, if a little frusturating at times. I suppose I didn’t have as high hopes for this one and was still entertained. Still, I’d give the book three stars and I’d recommend to those who do like time loop stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Cursing
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
ksherwood249's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25