Opposite of Always

by Justin A Reynolds

[Sam@WLABB]

What lengths would you go to, to save the ones you love? That was the challenge Jack accepted, over and over again, in Opposite of Always, and the results were always the same for me - laughter and tears.

This book had SO many strengths! I am just going to pinpoint some of my favorite things.

• Reynolds created a full cast of multidimensional characters, who I loved. Both Jack and Kate were stupendous, and I grew to care for them deeply, but he also gave us Jack's parents, and his best friends, Franny and Jillian too. Each of these characters were wonderful and integral to my enjoyment of this story.

• The time loop was done so well. These Groundhog Day style books seem to be popping up a lot lately, but this has been one of the most successful for me since I read Before I Fall. Reynolds used the time loop judiciously, and didn't allow the story to become repetitive. It never dragged or got old for me, and I kept looking forward to the seeing what adjustments he would make. I also loved the chapter entitled, "What Would Bill Murray Do?". Nice.

• Kate's illness was treated quite thoughtfully. I appreciated the genetic disease that was selected for her, because it's one you don't hear about enough. I also liked that she didn't suddenly become ill, but rather she had been dealing with it her whole life. It brought a different sort of feel to the story and point of view from Kate, then a sudden illness would.

• Can we just talk about my emotions? I was crying, I was laughing, I was "craughing" (crying + laughing). It was quite a roller coaster, and because we were in a time loop, I was forced to relive a lot of painful things over and over again. BUT, I also had the pleasure of watching Jack and Kate fall in love over and over again, and that made it worth each and every tear.

• Reynolds expertly navigated all the relationships in this book. Those between Jack and his parents, between Jack and his best friends, and between Jack and Kate were all done brilliantly. The love, the affection, the emotions were all communicated beautifully.

Given this stellar debut, I am looking forward reading more from Justin A. Reynolds. He gifted me with a lovely story about love, family, friendship, second chances, learning from your mistakes, as well as living in the moment, and it was perfection.

Bravo, Justin A. Reynolds!



*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

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