Opposite of Always Book Review

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

From Goodreads: Jack Ellison King. King of Almost.

He almost made valedictorian.

He almost made varsity.

He almost got the girl . . . 

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he’s falling—hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. Jack’s curse of almost is finally over.

But this love story is . . . complicated. It is an almost happily ever after. Because Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Beautiful, radiant Kate. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he’s willing to do—and let go—to save the people he loves.

Hey everyone, and welcome to another book review. Thank you so much to Macmillan for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Opposite of Always is a book that I’ve seen a fair bit of anticipation for. It is hitting shelves next month, but I have already heard a lot of readers eager to get their hands on a copy. Now that I’ve read the book, I understand the hype.

It’s a really cute story with some complex layers. The main character, Jack, reminds me a lot of Simon from Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda. Even when he’s being a bit of a dick, he’s still such a pure, cinnamon roll. He’s definitely just as awkward. He struggles quite a lot with his self-confidence, which I think is always an interesting angle in YA. It made his dynamic with his friends so much more real to me.

The romance is also incredibly, sugary-sweet. I would have maybe liked to have seen more of it, rather than just the snap shots of it. I mean, I totally understand why they don’t get to bond all that much, considering they only get about six months together, but still. It feels like it lacks a little bit of chemistry. The moments we see are brilliant, but they’re like trying to eat a pringle or two and then put them away, you don’t quite feel like you’ve gotten enough. Call me jaded, but the older I get the more eye-rolling I do when I hear characters talking about love about two weeks down the line [this definitely isn’t coming from the girl who said she loves her boyfriend after less than a month].

My other qualm is that the whole trying to prevent Kate dying thing seems a little bit… unrealistic? Don’t get me wrong, I loved this book and I was definitely cheering for Jack, but I also think it almost sweeps the seriousness of the disease she has under the carpet a bit. Not in a deliberate way, but serious life-threatening illnesses are not likely to be cured [even on an individual basis] by a kid who is still in high school who has only been trying for a few months.

The friendship is possibly my favourite bit about the book. I love how close Jack is to Franny and Jillian and all the moments they share together are just beautiful. Plus I like how Opposite of Always works with the kind of phrase most people go through when they get their first serious relationship. Like how people struggle to balance everything because they’re obsessed with spending time with this wonderful new person. I thought it added a wonderful and very realistic edge to the narrative as well as adding a good flaw to Jack’s character.

Overall, I’d give Opposite of Always a 7.5/10. I thought the main character was really sweet and funny and I loved the glimpses of the romance and friendship we were given. I definitely think it’s a great read for anyone who enjoyed Simon Versus the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

Opposite of Always is out in stores on April 5th in the UK.

Has anyone else read this book already or plans to? What do you all think of it? Let me know in the comment section down below <3