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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
jjstallone's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: Sexual content, Abandonment, and Alcohol
lazybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Antisemitism
Minor: Alcohol
mandalacb19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.5
I loved this book so much - such great dialogue and characters that I really grew attached to. I loved the representation of both main characters being Jewish, and I enjoyed how the author put in the culture into the book. Would read again, though I do think some things in book might have been done better, for example her feelings growing for Neil, and Rowan's relationship with her friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Car accident and Alcohol
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