Reviews with content warning for Bullying - Some Other Now

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Some Other Now by Sarah Everett

2 reviews

starryorbit12's review

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.75

I like the way the two timelines were handled, and the author does a good job at balancing the emotional aspects of the "Now" and suspense of what truly happened in the "Then." As more details about what truly happened with Rowan and Mel are revealed, it doesn't feel like it's being artificially drawn out and the pace the past fits in well with the future. I do think the relationship between Jessi and Luke shows a great deal of who they were, what they could have been, and potentially still could be.

I enjoyed that they didn't resolve all their issues and become a definite couple at the end. It's left up to the reader to determine what you think happened after they decided to start over with a blank slate. It leaves the ending ambiguous, but it's still hopeful. Jessi still grown regardless if they get together.

I disliked how manipulative Luke was when he initiated the fake dating.

He basically used his brother's own death to gaslight and guilt-trip Jessi into his plan knowing that their were best friends and she felt responsible for his death. I also felt the reveal that Roland was in love with Jessi was predictable and not built up well. We go from a story about a girl growing apart from her best friend and unsure of her place in hai family to the conflict suddenly being that he's in love with her and jealous of his brother. Also, I would push away a guy who suddenly kissed me without my consent regardless of how well I knew him. Jessi had shown no prior hints of liking Rowan as more than a friend. Why did she get lost in his kiss at all? It felt jarring.

I also disliked how this book revolves around illness, both physical and mental, but it beats around the bush when it comes to naming these illnesses.

It isn't until near the end of the book that it's actually acknowledged that Jesse's mother has depression that occurred postpartum after her birth. It just beats around the bush about her problem and her recovery, and it still only mentioned in one page. They never even name what Mel's illness is, but it heavily alluded to it being a form of cancer.

if you're going to write a book that deals heavily with an illness. You should at least be able to talk frankly and name that illness in more than just passing.

Also, the whole thing where Jessi and Luke have sex in the bathroom at Mel's funeral is gross. This book would be 4 stars, but that just knocked off a quarter star for me. It never even addressed. Jessi mentions not seeing Luke since the funeral, but they never address the sex.

Content Warnings

daniellestarredpages's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I loved this book but there were some parts that didn't quite make any sense to me. Like the scene a little later in the book that cause the main conflict that we are introduced to in the beginning of the book. I don't understand why the main character reacted that way to her best friends she was had no feelings for him. I did appreciate the fact that the author addressed how mental illness can negatively impact family members without putting any fault on the person that is suffering. I did like the romantic dynamic between Jess and Luke for the most part, but I do think that the way Luke treated Jess when they just started fake dating was a bit much. I loved the family dynamic between Jess and her mother when her mother was recovering and the dynamic between Jess and Mel.

That's All I Got, Danielle.

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