Reviews

If Tomorrow Doesn't Come by Jen St. Jude

Only show reviews with written explanations

fynn3455's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.75

maurac78's review against another edition

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5.0

I have no words. I finished this book in one sitting and am currently crying tears that are somehow both tears of sadness and happiness

nightmarebees's review

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

“There is no one so broken they are completely unsalvageable. There is no life so hopeless tomorrow can’t be at least a little better.”

i’m gonna be thinking about this one for a while. the first half i could tell i’d need to pace myself for the heartache, but by the second half i sped through bc i HAD to know what would happen. this author’s writing is so simple and yet poetic: they give voice to things i’ve often felt but haven’t had the words for. i’ve been lucky enough to get treatment for my comorbid conditions, but avery’s narration perfectly captures how clinical depression feels.

“‘Why is anyone depressed?’ Hell if I knew. It was in the soul of who I was as a person. It wasn’t something that had roots and therefore a way to weed it out.”

the flashbacks tracing avery and cass’s friendship from the ache of figuring out to the realization they’ve loved each other all along. avery’s relationship with aisha. TEDDY. the ways people grow more vicious or more loving when they realize they have nothing left to lose.

i’m glad i went into this knowing it would be an open ending, bc i was able to prepare myself for it. this isn’t the kind of story that’s about resolution, because mental health is never fully resolved. you just choose to keep trying.

Content Warnings

nwordsmith's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

4.75

This was a fantastic coming of age in the end of the world book. The narrative seamlessly intertwined the last 9 days of the world with significant events from Avery’s life. The Irish Catholic influence on her sexuality and mental health was so poignant. Despite being an ultimately world ending book, it was full of hope. Hope for Avery. Hope for acceptance of queer people. Hope for honestly and vulnerability.