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eslismyjam's review
4.0
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a free ARC of this book. I requested this book based entirely on the this sentence, "For fans of Far From the Tree, Emergency Contact, and Nina LaCour." It didn't disappoint. If enjoyed any of those novels you will probably like this. Added bonus- (or not depending on your persuasion) it made me cry at the end.
Everett handles quite a lot of tough material very deftly. It could have gotten very muddy very fast as Jessi is dealing with a mom with severe depression, and her surrogate mother, Mel, being "sick" (I assume cancer, but it was never really clarified).
The format of the book successfully keeps the reader engaged but alternating between the present and past and slowly spooling out the details to keep you reading. I won't spoil, but within the first 25% there is a reveal that throws off what you were expecting to happen.
I was expecting a more standard, coming of age, young adult novel, but this actually developed into something of a romance after its initial setup. The conflict between the two characters being grief over their shared loss and impending losses. It is one of those books that you don't find out the big reveal until the very, very end. I often like books that keep you guessing.
One thing that didn't' really work for me though was the representation. Jessi is mixed race, as are the boys, Luke and Rowan, but it felt more like a throwaway attempt at representation than anything real and substantial. I guess it is good that authors are now writing more diverse characters, but I don't feel that it informed much in the book. It was a few sentences at the start of the book and then never really addressed again. It would have been easy to rewrite the book and make all the characters white and not really change the story in any way. Which I guess is both good and bad in terms of representation. There was a small subplot dealing with the prejudice and racsim Jessi's mom and dad faced as a mixed-race couple from the mom's family, but it felt a bit unnecessary.
On the whole, I enjoyed this a lot. I liked both Jessi and Luke and I thought they had a nice character arc.
Everett handles quite a lot of tough material very deftly. It could have gotten very muddy very fast as Jessi is dealing with a mom with severe depression, and her surrogate mother, Mel, being "sick" (I assume cancer, but it was never really clarified).
The format of the book successfully keeps the reader engaged but alternating between the present and past and slowly spooling out the details to keep you reading. I won't spoil, but within the first 25% there is a reveal that throws off what you were expecting to happen.
I was expecting a more standard, coming of age, young adult novel, but this actually developed into something of a romance after its initial setup. The conflict between the two characters being grief over their shared loss and impending losses. It is one of those books that you don't find out the big reveal until the very, very end. I often like books that keep you guessing.
One thing that didn't' really work for me though was the representation. Jessi is mixed race, as are the boys, Luke and Rowan, but it felt more like a throwaway attempt at representation than anything real and substantial. I guess it is good that authors are now writing more diverse characters, but I don't feel that it informed much in the book. It was a few sentences at the start of the book and then never really addressed again. It would have been easy to rewrite the book and make all the characters white and not really change the story in any way. Which I guess is both good and bad in terms of representation. There was a small subplot dealing with the prejudice and racsim Jessi's mom and dad faced as a mixed-race couple from the mom's family, but it felt a bit unnecessary.
On the whole, I enjoyed this a lot. I liked both Jessi and Luke and I thought they had a nice character arc.
brandie_shanae's review
5.0
This book brought me to tears because the premise of this book is so close to home for me. I loved Jessi, Luke, Mel, and even Rowan even though there were times where he got on my last nerve. But then again what Mel had shared with the family I really can not blame Rowan for his actions to a certain extent. I loved Mel because she reminded me of my mom and I think that is what put me to tears the most. I fell in love with Jessi she was definitely my favorite character. I loved the fact that she was very bold with her actions towards Luke but also composed herself and ignorance whenever it came her way. This book deals with love/romance, loss, forgiveness, hope, and lies. Now the romance in this book between Jessi and Luke was so cute and I am glad that Sarah added this concept in the book because without it...I would be in tears the entire time. Also when I was reading this book I learned things about myself as well as people dealing with bad news and how when someone is going through something it is better to be near them and letting them know that you are there for them.
alliloop88's review
5.0
A very touching book
Some Other Now by Sarah Everett @heysaraheverett is based a year in the past and also in the present when teenager, Jessi Rumfield, lives her life with her surrogate family that she's known for ten years, but when her best friend, Ro's mother becomes terminally ill, everything changes. Feelings get discovered and even hurt, but everyone also discovers strength within themselves.
I'm not going to give any more away. I will say there is another death, but I'm not saying who. Also, there's a reason that Jessi turns to her best friend's family instead of being around her own, but I'm not giving that away either. I love the way this story is told and how it keeps throwing you for a loop and throwing surprises at you all throughout the book. It kept me on my toes the whole time. I definitely give this one ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I just know how to pick 'em, right? Lol. Happy reading!!
Some Other Now by Sarah Everett @heysaraheverett is based a year in the past and also in the present when teenager, Jessi Rumfield, lives her life with her surrogate family that she's known for ten years, but when her best friend, Ro's mother becomes terminally ill, everything changes. Feelings get discovered and even hurt, but everyone also discovers strength within themselves.
I'm not going to give any more away. I will say there is another death, but I'm not saying who. Also, there's a reason that Jessi turns to her best friend's family instead of being around her own, but I'm not giving that away either. I love the way this story is told and how it keeps throwing you for a loop and throwing surprises at you all throughout the book. It kept me on my toes the whole time. I definitely give this one ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I just know how to pick 'em, right? Lol. Happy reading!!
caitief's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
functionallyava's review
5.0
I haven’t cried this much reading since Song of Achilles. This book will be the worst thing to happen to the world. I’m never shutting up about it.
aub7611's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
poppysophie's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I read this in a day. Less than 24 hours and gosh was it an experience. I loved it so much. I loved the dynamic between our main character and her "found family" with Rowan as her best friend and Luke as her crush. Some themes are very similar to "The Summer I turned Pretty" with the mother of the boys being sick, on the edge of dying, not knowing how much long she has left. Alas, the whole book was touching and heart-warming, the found family aspects were at their best and there were so many cute wholesome moments. I adored the discussion and the showing of themes of the real damage of depression and upbringing with Jessi's mum and the contrast between her and Rowan/Luke's mother - I think this was done and written so well and I loved how this story came to be in the end, with healing and conversation. There were def moments throughout this whole story where I was crying my eyes out, sobbing like a baby even however this book missed the 5 star mark for me because there were some elements of this book I didn't like, while I overall loved how this book ended with an amazing conclusion/last lines, I wish the "conflict" was different. I wished Rowan's character arc ended differently or they did something else with his character because he never got his "closure" or a proper conclusion and as someone that loved him as a character, I think he deserved more. I also HATED Luke at some points :/ the way he treated Jessi at points with the fake dating, insisting she do it was not fun to read :D but I understand his desperation- just could have handle it differently. I do love the message at the end, about healing and moving forward<3 this book is an easy, emotional and heart-warming read:)
hollydaisy23's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, this book is so bittersweet. But I loved it so much.