Book Review: Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds 
Genre: Young Adult (Science Fiction / Romance)
Date Published: March 5, 2019
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

Debut author Justin A. Reynolds delivers a hilarious and heartfelt novel about the choices we make, the people we choose, and the moments that make a life worth reliving.

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.

But then 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. 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 to save the people he loves.

Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds was a cute story with some great characters. I enjoyed Jack's perspective quite a bit. Watching him grow as a person and learn more and more each time the loop repeated was a pretty neat thing. The repeating loop got just that though... repetitive. It made the story a bit draggy. I never felt bored though. With that being said, the romance was fast, and it just kind of happened. I don't feel like I really got to know Kate much. There weren't very many life details and what not given to us. So, I never truly connected with her. I enjoyed really getting to know Jack with each loop though. We learned a lot about Jillian and Franny as well. They were interesting, and I felt like they added a nice dynamic to the story. 

Justin A. Reynolds has always wanted to be a writer. The earliest documentation of this desire was recorded on a sheet of green, learn-how-to-write-with-a-jumbo-pencil ruled kindergarten paper, which can be found prominently displayed in his mom’s office. OPPOSITE OF ALWAYS, his debut novel, was an Indies Introduce Top Ten Debut, a School Library Journal Best Book of 2019, translated in 17 languages, and is being developed for film with Paramount Players. He hangs out in northeast Ohio with his family and likes it, and is probably somewhere, right now, dancing terribly. Or as his sister likes to say "doing the sports". His second novel EARLY DEPARTURES will publish in September 2020.

To learn more about Justin A. Reynolds and her books, visit his website.You can also find him on Goodreads, Instagram, and Twitter.

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