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kccool12255's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Wowwww, has it really been three days since I finished reading this? It literally feels like yesterday. (Probably because I've been rereading the ending scenes ever since I finished it.)
August was not a good month or me. I kept trying and trying to finish Uglies (which I do still plan to finish, make no mistake), but I just could not find the time. I've sat around page 100 for like WEEKS now, it's not great. And so, I made the decision to read a book I actually really wanted to read, and just take a little break.
And BOY, was that a good decision.
I planned to one-shot this book, just get one in for September so I could further my reading goal. And I already KNEW I was gonna love this book, confiemd after the first few pages. Instantly, I got sucked into this world, and fell in love with these characters. I was squealing and kicking my feet almost the entire time. I love cute little fluffy rom-com books like this, and anytime I read one, the experience just keeps getting better and better. This book DELIVERED, and I love it so much.
Alright, enough lead-in. Let's get to the review.
The plot of this book is SO CREATIVE. It really subverted my expectations, because even though it's called "Today Tonight Tomorrow", we don't even really get to the "tomorrow" portion. (I mean, KIND OF, but barely.) Not that it's a BAD thing at all, because while the book's pacing is not what I would've done, I really think it works well! I love reading about Howl, but most of all, I love how creative Rachel Lynn Solomon gets with the detours they take. She manages to make a story that takes place over a couple hours feel perfectly paced, and not rushed at all, which is a FEAT.
But these CHARACTERS, man. They steal the show. Rowan may be the most relatable protagonist I've ever read about in a book. I was relating to her TOO much at the beginning, and constantly throughout. But she's so interesting to read about, I love her story, I UNDERSTAND her, and she's absolutely likeable. And NEIL? Even in the BEGINNING when they're still rivals, I loved this man. And his character development is SO. GOOD. Kirby and Mara I also like as characters, and even Brady Becker, who is on-page like TWICE, is a good character. The only character I don't really like is Savannah Bell, and you're not SUPPOSED to like her anyways.
Because I love the characters so much, I'm willing to put aside the really bad naming choices. I'm sorry, but I have to address it. I'll give a little bit of a pass to Rowan Roth, since they actually address her alliterative name and make jokes about it, inspiring Artoo, which I LOVE but when you're about to pair her with a guy named NEIL MCNAIR? I gotta draw the line a little bit there. Although, in fairness, he does change his name to Neil Perlman, so I guess he gets like half-credit. And his sister's name is NATALIE. Also, who the frick is named KIRBY??? And Brady Becker isn't a real name either. No way, no how. Mara's name is normal enough, but her last name is like POMPETTI or something. The ONLY character with a normal name is Savannah Bell. Nevertheless, I love these characters so much, so the names don't really bother me.
The ROMANCE between Rowan and Neil is ALSO amazing, which is to be expected. It's so NICELY done, though! I don't even know what else I can say. It's basically perfect. I love getting to see them develop a relationship as friends, and the TENSION is TOP-NOTCH. Words cannot express how much I looked forward to the yearbook letter. WORTH IT, BABY! And I really expected their kiss scene (which I unfortunately got spoilers for before I read this book, but it made me want to read the book, so it's fine) to be AT the actual graduation, so it subverted my expectations AND it made me swoon. Win-win! I've reread their kiss scene like 5 times, it's SO GOOD. And I love them being the same height, I feel like that's something we don't get a lot of for love interests! And Neil is really nerdy and soft-spoken, ALSO something we don't see a lot in love interests. Basically, this book defies ALL the stereotypes (okay, not all, but most). The funniest thing is that I am in love with Neil's personality, but I would DEFINITELY not be attracted to him in real life. That being said, I love how his freckles are considered attractive, AND that he's an attractive ginger! I LOVE FRECKLED GINGER REPRESENTATION IN MEDIA!!!!
I have one gripe with this book, even though it's basically perfect. ONE gripe. Did we HAVE to include the sex scene? Why does there ALWAYS have to be ONE? Yes, it's a nice segue into the ending, but I didn't want to read it. It could've been closed-door so easily, and while it's not super descriptive, it oculd've been less descriptive. Also, her PARENTS were IN THE HOUSE. (Yes, they were passed out and drunk, BUT STILL.) But whatever. It's right at the end, so it's not the BIGGEST deal, but it's still annoying.
I love this book with all my heart and soul. EASILY my favorite for this year. (Sorry, Prisoner's Throne.) I read it in basically one sitting, two days, so that should tell you all you need to know. I'm only sad that it's over and I never get to read it for the first time again. But this book NEEDS MORE HYPE. IT'S SO FREAKING GOOD. GO READ IT.
August was not a good month or me. I kept trying and trying to finish Uglies (which I do still plan to finish, make no mistake), but I just could not find the time. I've sat around page 100 for like WEEKS now, it's not great. And so, I made the decision to read a book I actually really wanted to read, and just take a little break.
And BOY, was that a good decision.
I planned to one-shot this book, just get one in for September so I could further my reading goal. And I already KNEW I was gonna love this book, confiemd after the first few pages. Instantly, I got sucked into this world, and fell in love with these characters. I was squealing and kicking my feet almost the entire time. I love cute little fluffy rom-com books like this, and anytime I read one, the experience just keeps getting better and better. This book DELIVERED, and I love it so much.
Alright, enough lead-in. Let's get to the review.
The plot of this book is SO CREATIVE. It really subverted my expectations, because even though it's called "Today Tonight Tomorrow", we don't even really get to the "tomorrow" portion. (I mean, KIND OF, but barely.) Not that it's a BAD thing at all, because while the book's pacing is not what I would've done, I really think it works well! I love reading about Howl, but most of all, I love how creative Rachel Lynn Solomon gets with the detours they take. She manages to make a story that takes place over a couple hours feel perfectly paced, and not rushed at all, which is a FEAT.
But these CHARACTERS, man. They steal the show. Rowan may be the most relatable protagonist I've ever read about in a book. I was relating to her TOO much at the beginning, and constantly throughout. But she's so interesting to read about, I love her story, I UNDERSTAND her, and she's absolutely likeable. And NEIL? Even in the BEGINNING when they're still rivals, I loved this man. And his character development is SO. GOOD. Kirby and Mara I also like as characters, and even Brady Becker, who is on-page like TWICE, is a good character. The only character I don't really like is Savannah Bell, and you're not SUPPOSED to like her anyways.
Because I love the characters so much, I'm willing to put aside the really bad naming choices. I'm sorry, but I have to address it. I'll give a little bit of a pass to Rowan Roth, since they actually address her alliterative name and make jokes about it,
The ROMANCE between Rowan and Neil is ALSO amazing, which is to be expected. It's so NICELY done, though! I don't even know what else I can say. It's basically perfect. I love getting to see them develop a relationship as friends, and the TENSION is TOP-NOTCH.
I have one gripe with this book, even though it's basically perfect. ONE gripe.
I love this book with all my heart and soul. EASILY my favorite for this year. (Sorry, Prisoner's Throne.) I read it in basically one sitting, two days, so that should tell you all you need to know. I'm only sad that it's over and I never get to read it for the first time again. But this book NEEDS MORE HYPE. IT'S SO FREAKING GOOD. GO READ IT.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Body shaming and Alcohol
my_personal_escape's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Violence and Car accident
chronic_listener's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Violence and Car accident
pandachrissan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
I'm obsessed, couldn't stop reading. I guess I have a new favourite book haha. Everything about it was perfect: The banter, the tension, the time span of just one day, the flashbacks, the scavenger hunt, what made it so adventurous and even more interesting, the obsession with eachother. It's the perfect Academic rivals to lovers book. It made me giggle and laugh out loud a few times and screamed and squealed and cried, what normally rarely happens to me with books. I love how their progress is seen by the way they are more near to eachother each time they sit down on a bench too, that's such an interesting detail. And I love that it shows a messy, real kind of love and not the overly perfect one, that is normally shown in books. But the book is not only about the romance, it's about accepting yourself and what you love, it's about not hiding yourself and open up. It's about friendship too and kinda about regret and realizing, that maybe things are better the way they already are. I love it and definitely gonna reread in the future ❤️ (So happy there's a second book, because I can't get enough of Neil and Rowan)
PS: Neil and Rowan kinda gave me Devi and Ben vibes from "Never have I ever", so if you liked the series and them together, you will definitely love this book I think.
PS: Neil and Rowan kinda gave me Devi and Ben vibes from "Never have I ever", so if you liked the series and them together, you will definitely love this book I think.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
garbage_mcsmutly's review
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a really cute, quick YA romance that was also a love letter to romance novels. And I adored it. Definitely recommended to others!
📝 The rivals to friends to lovers progression was great, the bumps along the way made sense for teenagers, the game of howl was fun and interesting.
💌📚💓 The FMC/narrator really loves romance novels, and advocates for them to basically everyone she knows by the end of the book. And the points made were good ones, and from a feminist perspective. And I'm right there with her so I was all for it!
🎧 POV was first person, just FMC. The narrator did a good job embodying Rowan as she works through her thoughts and feelings.
🌶️ 2/5 This may be a surprise based on my username, but even though I'm rating this book 5 stars, it had virtually no spice!The characters do hook up at the end but it's described in pretty vague terms. But I'm still giving slight spice points because the tension between the MCs and the thrill of the almost kisses and actual kisses was so teenaged "OMG I like him so much eeeee what's going to happen" and I loved it.
🏳️🌈✊ Rowan (and Neil, we later learn ) is Jewish, by her father's side. Her mother's side of the family is Hispanic. Her friends and classmates are multiple different ethnicities and races and sexual orientations.
📝 The rivals to friends to lovers progression was great, the bumps along the way made sense for teenagers, the game of howl was fun and interesting.
💌📚💓 The FMC/narrator really loves romance novels, and advocates for them to basically everyone she knows by the end of the book. And the points made were good ones, and from a feminist perspective. And I'm right there with her so I was all for it!
🎧 POV was first person, just FMC. The narrator did a good job embodying Rowan as she works through her thoughts and feelings.
🌶️ 2/5 This may be a surprise based on my username, but even though I'm rating this book 5 stars, it had virtually no spice!
🏳️🌈✊ Rowan (
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Antisemitism
Minor: Confinement, Sexual content, Violence, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
fieldofsummer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A cute story that takes place within 24 hours about change, growing up, and realizing first impressions aren’t always the end all. The writing was okay, but I really wasn’t enjoying Rowan’s point of views nor her character really, and though her “flaws” were pointed out a lot she never fixed them. She was so consistently rude to Neil and some of the things she said should have been addressed more than by a simple sorry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence and Abandonment
michellebub's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
Author is a Zionist. As the main characters mentioned multiple times that they are Jewish and talked about their struggles, I wondered what her stance is, so I looked it up.
Bought this in 2023 before I knew.
I’m sad I never got to hear their speeches.
This kind of reminds me of better than the movies because of the special interest Rowan has with romance book and Liz has with rom-coms. I wished she would’ve made references to real books, like bttm did. But it was still nice to be seen like this. Kind of felt meta.
Would definitely recommend to read if your graduating.
Bought this in 2023 before I knew.
I’m sad I never got to hear their speeches.
This kind of reminds me of better than the movies because of the special interest Rowan has with romance book and Liz has with rom-coms. I wished she would’ve made references to real books, like bttm did. But it was still nice to be seen like this. Kind of felt meta.
Would definitely recommend to read if your graduating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Drug use, Hate crime, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content
meganm1587's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Antisemitism, and Car accident
thekibbs101's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
2.75
It took me 150 pages to actually start enjoying the book, before that it felt very slow and boring. I just don’t like having to wait so long for the plot to get going and then being in the mc’s head just kept annoying me so much. I did enjoy the middle portion where Neil and Rowan worked together on the scavenger hunt. But the only reason why I kept reading was because I’m going on a trip to Seattle and I thought this would be fun to read before I go. I did learn a couple of things about Seattle but I did not have a good time with this book.
I like how the parents write books together! The first 10ish pages were fine but after that I found it very boring for a while. I was interested in this book because it takes place in Seattle. I wasn’t expecting the beginning of them being at school to take so long. They start the citywide scavenger hunt on page 75. I always find it annoying when characters call each other by their last names. The amount of ‘McNair’ and ‘mcthisandthat’ was annoying. Even after the game starts it still feels so slow and boring because the characters are stopping and talking so it doesn’t feel fast paced like I thought it would. if it weren’t for the Seattle setting I would have dnfed this since I mostly only had complaints about it still by page 100. The font is really small which bothers me. I swear all books used to have the same size font and now in the last few months every book I pick up has a drastically different size font. I also just didn’t enjoy how this is supposed to be about their game but it immediately becomes about Rowan being upset that her friends are going on vacation without her, like it makes her upset so then the game isn’t like fun and enjoyable like I thought it would be. And then again at the safe zone it’s all they talk about and they have no sympathy for her being upset. I hadn’t heard any reviews about this so this isn’t coming from like having high expectations or hype I just genuinely thought this book would be more enjoyable. I like books that can at least make me smile or laugh, or at least have a writing style that’s interesting or compelling if not that. The book gets a lot more enjoyable after they team up. I started enjoying it after that. I liked Neil and Rowan working together and seeing them become friends instead of rivals. I still am annoyed though that it takes like 150 pages to start enjoying the book, and even then I think I only enjoyed a solid 70 pages before I started getting annoyed with being in Rowan’s head.
When they decided to get high right before the book signing event I was like that is not a good idea. I was so sad for her that she missed the book signing. Also it makes no sense that she noticed she was 10 minutes late and at the same time noticed Neil wasn’t next to her anymore, he shows up and says he was in the bathroom, yet somehow so much time passed while he was in the bathroom that she says now it’s way too late for her to go. Then they talk for a few minutes and then he shows her a tweet from the author about how the event was amazing? That doesn’t make any sense that he would be in the bathroom for that long to the point where the event went from being 10 minutes in to being over. Neil tried to help but doesn’t even apologize that he’s the reason why she didn’t get to go. Rowan’s thoughts also continue to be annoying throughout the whole book. She’s very hell bent on yelling about people hating on things made for women which I get and I was also more fired up about stuff like that around that age, but I don’t feel like she needs to throw in these conversations like force them into the book so much. When she starts going off about how she’s not a virgin to Neil I was like oh my god you don’t have to do that. And I knew he probably likes her a lot so just why he probably doesn’t want to know that. And then they just proceed to talk about their exes. Neil even still brings up her ex after that in her thoughts multiple times. I was rooting for Neil and Rowan to end up together, they are so sweet to each other and do sweet things for each other.
Nearing the end I was considering reading the sequel, but then Rowan finds the piece of paper with her name on it and the way they handle that made me so upset. She was about to tell him she likes him but then she assumes he was faking everything. And then she says ‘maybe you’re more like your dad than you thought’ ???? What???? That is extremely cruel and has literally nothing to do with him. I do not want to support a sequel about them being together, not after she says that. And then they just start fighting instead of telling each other they actually have feelings for each other?? How can authors think that that would set up a good or healthy romance??? Oh my god. This book feels so similar to Better Than The Movies in that they both have rivals to lovers but instead of telling each other they like each other they just start insulting each other?? I actually really liked that book until then, and I feel like the author of that book may have been inspired by this one a lot. Also with him secretly being in love with her. I never understand why in books a character would go so far as to imply they don’t have feelings for the other person when actually they love them? That makes no sense. If you want to be with them and love them why would you mislead them and lessen your chances of getting to tell them you love them?? I hate that so much. He did not have to say it would have been a mistake to kiss her, he could have waited to see what she had to say. I just really wish this book would have been more enjoyable.
I did like the ending when Rowan and Neil made up. It was funny when Rowan tackled Brady and Neil ran for the finish line. I also thought it was sweet when they kissed. I thought the book was over but then they go back to her house and are you kidding me???
I like how the parents write books together! The first 10ish pages were fine but after that I found it very boring for a while. I was interested in this book because it takes place in Seattle. I wasn’t expecting the beginning of them being at school to take so long. They start the citywide scavenger hunt on page 75. I always find it annoying when characters call each other by their last names. The amount of ‘McNair’ and ‘mcthisandthat’ was annoying. Even after the game starts it still feels so slow and boring because the characters are stopping and talking so it doesn’t feel fast paced like I thought it would. if it weren’t for the Seattle setting I would have dnfed this since I mostly only had complaints about it still by page 100. The font is really small which bothers me. I swear all books used to have the same size font and now in the last few months every book I pick up has a drastically different size font. I also just didn’t enjoy how this is supposed to be about their game but it immediately becomes about Rowan being upset that her friends are going on vacation without her, like it makes her upset so then the game isn’t like fun and enjoyable like I thought it would be. And then again at the safe zone it’s all they talk about and they have no sympathy for her being upset. I hadn’t heard any reviews about this so this isn’t coming from like having high expectations or hype I just genuinely thought this book would be more enjoyable. I like books that can at least make me smile or laugh, or at least have a writing style that’s interesting or compelling if not that. The book gets a lot more enjoyable after they team up. I started enjoying it after that. I liked Neil and Rowan working together and seeing them become friends instead of rivals. I still am annoyed though that it takes like 150 pages to start enjoying the book, and even then I think I only enjoyed a solid 70 pages before I started getting annoyed with being in Rowan’s head.
When they decided to get high right before the book signing event I was like that is not a good idea. I was so sad for her that she missed the book signing. Also it makes no sense that she noticed she was 10 minutes late and at the same time noticed Neil wasn’t next to her anymore, he shows up and says he was in the bathroom, yet somehow so much time passed while he was in the bathroom that she says now it’s way too late for her to go. Then they talk for a few minutes and then he shows her a tweet from the author about how the event was amazing? That doesn’t make any sense that he would be in the bathroom for that long to the point where the event went from being 10 minutes in to being over. Neil tried to help but doesn’t even apologize that he’s the reason why she didn’t get to go. Rowan’s thoughts also continue to be annoying throughout the whole book. She’s very hell bent on yelling about people hating on things made for women which I get and I was also more fired up about stuff like that around that age, but I don’t feel like she needs to throw in these conversations like force them into the book so much. When she starts going off about how she’s not a virgin to Neil I was like oh my god you don’t have to do that. And I knew he probably likes her a lot so just why he probably doesn’t want to know that. And then they just proceed to talk about their exes. Neil even still brings up her ex after that in her thoughts multiple times. I was rooting for Neil and Rowan to end up together, they are so sweet to each other and do sweet things for each other.
Nearing the end I was considering reading the sequel, but then Rowan finds the piece of paper with her name on it and the way they handle that made me so upset. She was about to tell him she likes him but then she assumes he was faking everything. And then she says ‘maybe you’re more like your dad than you thought’ ???? What???? That is extremely cruel and has literally nothing to do with him. I do not want to support a sequel about them being together, not after she says that. And then they just start fighting instead of telling each other they actually have feelings for each other?? How can authors think that that would set up a good or healthy romance??? Oh my god. This book feels so similar to Better Than The Movies in that they both have rivals to lovers but instead of telling each other they like each other they just start insulting each other?? I actually really liked that book until then, and I feel like the author of that book may have been inspired by this one a lot. Also with him secretly being in love with her. I never understand why in books a character would go so far as to imply they don’t have feelings for the other person when actually they love them? That makes no sense. If you want to be with them and love them why would you mislead them and lessen your chances of getting to tell them you love them?? I hate that so much. He did not have to say it would have been a mistake to kiss her, he could have waited to see what she had to say. I just really wish this book would have been more enjoyable.
I did like the ending when Rowan and Neil made up. It was funny when Rowan tackled Brady and Neil ran for the finish line. I also thought it was sweet when they kissed. I thought the book was over but then they go back to her house and are you kidding me???
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
sophie_9's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I love this book, it is so sweet and one of my favourite romance books, there are just a few things I wish I could change and then this would be a 5 star read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content