Reviews

Next to Never by Penelope Douglas

meganlarsson's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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

2.0

amanda_reads13's review

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Quinn has grown up with an over protective dad and brothers. Now that she is 17, can she finally figure out what she wants? 

I feel deceived. I thought this was going to be Quinn and Lucas' book... But it wasn't. This was basically her parents story. 

This was presented in a weird and interesting way. Quinn gets a mystery package containing a book. She quickly realizes it is her parents story. Turns out that her mother wrote this book to share her story and lessons with Quinn. Super awkward for her to include the sex scenes for her daughter to read. 

That said, her parents relationship was super toxic. Her father controlled her mother's life and when things didn't go as she expected it to, her mother became an alcoholic. They both spent years angry, depressed, and missing each other.  Eventually, they found their way back to each other. 

I really enjoyed getting know Quinn and the 2nd generation of kids. I am intrigued about their books! 

Tropes: second chance

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Infidelity, Abandonment, Cancer, Car accident, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

shelbeavs's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

jmazzei's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective

2.5

haboon's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

lynchmolloy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ssullivan's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.5

lhle's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful informative lighthearted 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

4.0

deeloro's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.25

ycano's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I loved to see how the next generation grew up. Was kinda strange for Quinn to read some parts of the book but understood why Kat wrote it and let Quinn read it. As parents we want our children to learn from our mistakes but that's not enough they have to learn from there own even if its the same as ours. Really hope she continues with the second generation would love to read their story .