rosiethespy's review against another edition
3.0
Cute and funny and has a good message about living up to expectations. I do think that it was less successful than as a retelling than [b:The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You|26114524|The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You|Lily Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1444317771s/26114524.jpg|46061362], because the Ernest stuff felt intrusive instead of additive. I did really love Ever, with her totally endearing love of science fiction and anxiety over her future.
mora55's review against another edition
yeah the only reason i read this was bc i enjoyed [b:The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You|26114524|The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You|Lily Anderson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444317771l/26114524._SY75_.jpg|46061362] and this is a companion novel but this one just didn't do anything for me. it was Fine but the plot seemed weirdly paced for a lot of reasons i can't be bothered to get into and i couldn't get behind the relationships and elliot's character development felt forced. the best part was seeing the cameos from the characters from the companion novel - especially brandon's relationship with them and Knowing these things they hinted at that the others couldn't know - but even that was somehow disappointing. it was a quick read and it was okay but overall meh for me.
story_sanctuary's review against another edition
4.0
I thought the connections between Not Now, Not Ever and The Importance of Being Earnest made this a super fun, unexpected story. Elliot’s struggle to figure out what to do with her future with regard to her family’s expectations for her definitely pulled me into the story. It wasn’t the most satisfying plot element, though.
Actually, I have to say I was pretty excited when I figured out that Brandon (if you read The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You, you’ll remember this guy!) had a pretty major role in this novel. I loved finding him in Not Now, Not Ever.
Lots of the characters have secrets of their own, which had me hooked. It seemed like every time I thought I pegged what was going to happen, some new layer emerged. That made for a fun reading experience for sure.
On the whole, I think I liked these characters better than The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You but prefer that plot over Not Now, Not Ever. Not to say I didn’t enjoy both—I totally did. Anderson delivers strong dialogue and banter with some really fun geek culture in both books. Fans of Cori McCarthy’s You Were Here and Anderson’s debut novel, The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You will want to add this one to reading lists.
Actually, I have to say I was pretty excited when I figured out that Brandon (if you read The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You, you’ll remember this guy!) had a pretty major role in this novel. I loved finding him in Not Now, Not Ever.
Lots of the characters have secrets of their own, which had me hooked. It seemed like every time I thought I pegged what was going to happen, some new layer emerged. That made for a fun reading experience for sure.
On the whole, I think I liked these characters better than The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You but prefer that plot over Not Now, Not Ever. Not to say I didn’t enjoy both—I totally did. Anderson delivers strong dialogue and banter with some really fun geek culture in both books. Fans of Cori McCarthy’s You Were Here and Anderson’s debut novel, The Only Thing Worse than Me Is You will want to add this one to reading lists.
kspear22's review against another edition
4.0
Lily Anderson is a goddess. Or a genius. Or both.
Last year's The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You was at the top of my list for best reads, and I didn't think she could pull off another fantastic nerd story.
I am delighted to tell you that I was wrong.
I have to be honest, there aren't enough good/great geeky girl stories. I mean, the trend is definitely picking up, but not all are brilliant. That's what makes Lily's books so special. From the beginning of both, I was hooked. She has a way with words---and I can't help but get sucked into the world she's created.
Teen geniuses. Nerds. Geeks. Interwoven are POC, diverse sexualities...it really can't get much better!
Now, I was worried about this book. I loved the cast of TOTWTMIY so much. I didn't expect to like this crew as much. And to be honest, I didn't. But they're lovable in their own ways. Plus, hello cameos! That was actually one of the absolute best things about Not Now, Not Ever. Well, besides Elliot/Ever herself. Sort of a jock, but also a nerd, she's just a really kick ass chick. Her group of cam friends all have their own quirks and I found myself LOL constantly while reading.
At the heart of this, though, is a basis of family. And not wanting to disappoint, but also wanting to live your life the way that would make you happy. The entire time Ever was at the camp, I found myself wondering how it would end. Would she win the scholarship? Would she stay with Brandon after it was all over? But, thanks to a "revenge" act (or maybe spite), things get turned upside-down quickly. As it all unravels, I just wanted to hug Ever/Elliot. And tell her it IS okay to disappoint others if it means being true to yourself.
With a brilliantly written and brainy cast, Not Now, Not Ever is a wonderful follow-up to Anderson's debut. I hope she continues writing characters connected to this world, because I'd love the chance to see everyone (again!) a few years down the road.
Last year's The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You was at the top of my list for best reads, and I didn't think she could pull off another fantastic nerd story.
I am delighted to tell you that I was wrong.
I have to be honest, there aren't enough good/great geeky girl stories. I mean, the trend is definitely picking up, but not all are brilliant. That's what makes Lily's books so special. From the beginning of both, I was hooked. She has a way with words---and I can't help but get sucked into the world she's created.
Teen geniuses. Nerds. Geeks. Interwoven are POC, diverse sexualities...it really can't get much better!
Now, I was worried about this book. I loved the cast of TOTWTMIY so much. I didn't expect to like this crew as much. And to be honest, I didn't. But they're lovable in their own ways. Plus, hello cameos! That was actually one of the absolute best things about Not Now, Not Ever. Well, besides Elliot/Ever herself. Sort of a jock, but also a nerd, she's just a really kick ass chick. Her group of cam friends all have their own quirks and I found myself LOL constantly while reading.
At the heart of this, though, is a basis of family. And not wanting to disappoint, but also wanting to live your life the way that would make you happy. The entire time Ever was at the camp, I found myself wondering how it would end. Would she win the scholarship? Would she stay with Brandon after it was all over? But, thanks to a "revenge" act (or maybe spite), things get turned upside-down quickly. As it all unravels, I just wanted to hug Ever/Elliot. And tell her it IS okay to disappoint others if it means being true to yourself.
With a brilliantly written and brainy cast, Not Now, Not Ever is a wonderful follow-up to Anderson's debut. I hope she continues writing characters connected to this world, because I'd love the chance to see everyone (again!) a few years down the road.
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
Another book about super smart teens at some super smart place that just misses by focusing more on the relationships and less on the super smart part. If only there'd been more about the SF nerdiness and less about the family, the budding romance, etc.. The blurb promises genius nerds and instead, it's normal teens. Sigh.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
parot's review against another edition
4.0
3.5? 4? Somewhere in that area. Cute contemporary YA with lots of nerds & trivia.
evreardon's review against another edition
4.0
This reads a little different from Anderson’s first book but her signature pop culture references are still there and wonderful.
I love the idea of a nerd camp. I love camp stories to begin with. So this is so fun! There’s ton of crazy things that happen that reminds me of my own camp experience (except that I didn’t go to genius camp!)
I can’t wait to see what happens and I’ll update this review once I’m done!
I love the idea of a nerd camp. I love camp stories to begin with. So this is so fun! There’s ton of crazy things that happen that reminds me of my own camp experience (except that I didn’t go to genius camp!)
I can’t wait to see what happens and I’ll update this review once I’m done!
malaynachang's review against another edition
5.0
MY OPINION: *****
This is going to be a short review because I'm supposed to be doing other stuff and instead am procrastinating :)
This is the companion novel to one of my absolute favorite books, The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You that I recently read.
I really loved this book as a whole. It wasn't quite as amazing as the first book but it wasn't faulty in the slightest.
The characters were cute and smart. I like characters who possess a brain and the ability to actually think because that is so rare in books these days. Geeks are not a huge part of the modern literary world.
Ever, or Elliott, or whatever you want to call her, was a girl who wanted to restart her life and get away from her parents' dreams for her and instead do what she wants to do. She decides to run away to a camp offering a scholarship to a school that I could not remember or pronounce that has a sci-fi segment that she really enjoys. She enters the genius camp and there we see her surrounded by smart people, some annoying, some amazing, some cute or funny. I liked the cameos of the characters from the other book (especially Ben and Trixie!).
Brandon, who is another cameo from the first book, was our other major character. He was a shady, introverted, not-so-boisterous guy who ends up becoming the love interest of the book. I thought it was interesting how he was given more of a backstory and we learn things about him that we didn't know just from reading the first book. He annoyed me back then but reading this book, he soon became one of my favorites.
Leigh was a smart girl who ended up deducing the entire mystery portion of this book. I thought that she added the humor and overall lightness to this book that I really needed. She also was dramatic and helpful and always ready to lend a helpful hand.
I really loved this book and I would be interested to read more about these characters in the future!
I would recommend this book to the Awesome Nerds of the world! Also, just to anyone who's looking for a good book :)
Main Character: Ever
Sidekick(s): Brandon, Leigh, etc
Villain(s): Deceit, lies, etc
Fiction Elements: All of this book was entirely fictional.
This is going to be a short review because I'm supposed to be doing other stuff and instead am procrastinating :)
This is the companion novel to one of my absolute favorite books, The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You that I recently read.
I really loved this book as a whole. It wasn't quite as amazing as the first book but it wasn't faulty in the slightest.
The characters were cute and smart. I like characters who possess a brain and the ability to actually think because that is so rare in books these days. Geeks are not a huge part of the modern literary world.
Ever, or Elliott, or whatever you want to call her, was a girl who wanted to restart her life and get away from her parents' dreams for her and instead do what she wants to do. She decides to run away to a camp offering a scholarship to a school that I could not remember or pronounce that has a sci-fi segment that she really enjoys. She enters the genius camp and there we see her surrounded by smart people, some annoying, some amazing, some cute or funny. I liked the cameos of the characters from the other book (especially Ben and Trixie!).
Brandon, who is another cameo from the first book, was our other major character. He was a shady, introverted, not-so-boisterous guy who ends up becoming the love interest of the book. I thought it was interesting how he was given more of a backstory and we learn things about him that we didn't know just from reading the first book. He annoyed me back then but reading this book, he soon became one of my favorites.
Leigh was a smart girl who ended up deducing the entire mystery portion of this book. I thought that she added the humor and overall lightness to this book that I really needed. She also was dramatic and helpful and always ready to lend a helpful hand.
I really loved this book and I would be interested to read more about these characters in the future!
I would recommend this book to the Awesome Nerds of the world! Also, just to anyone who's looking for a good book :)
Main Character: Ever
Sidekick(s): Brandon, Leigh, etc
Villain(s): Deceit, lies, etc
Fiction Elements: All of this book was entirely fictional.