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katykelly's review
5.0
The geek shall inherit the earth
Anderson's first 'had me at hello' - a contemporary teen story based on my favourite Shakespeare comedy (much like Ten Things I Hate About You), set in a high school. A high school for genuises. So it really was a geek-fest of epic proportions, celebrating intelligence and wit.
I was absolutely prepared to break out the popcorn and feast for a second time of more of the same. And Beatrice and Benedick (or their modern counterparts) even feature as secondary characters!
This time, the world expands to feature a summer camp, in which high school students can win scholarships to an elite college by out-performing each other in a series of tests and challenges. Sneaking away from her aspirational family (half of whom want Elliott to follow the family military route), she reinvents herself as Ever, and even finds another relative doing something similar!
The stage is set for a comedy of errors as Ever/Elliott attempts to make friends, win the scholarship and keep her identity under wraps. All while quoting in her mind from Oscar Wilde.
The Wildean connection I found rather tenuous. I know 'Earnest' fairly well and just didn't see this as a modern retelling. Having Ever quote it regularly, because her stepmother has performed it so many times and rehearsed with her step-daughter just felt a little forced. I loved the book, but didn't feel it connected at all well, unlike its predecessor.
You can very easily read this without knowing Wilde, and though a knowledge of Anderson's first will help with some in-jokes and references, that isn't necessary pre-reading either.
The characters are not quite as sparky and punchily witty as Ben and Bea in the first tale, but Ever is a likeable sci-fi nerd, effortlessly cool in the physical trials of the summer camp (an athletic geek?!), with other characters around her just as standout on the page.
I was waiting for a 'handbag' moment, the final line or its equivalent from 'Earnest' but I did like the teen romance/comedy/geekfest I found.
And I look forward to seeing what classic Anderson looks to next for her inspiration.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
Anderson's first 'had me at hello' - a contemporary teen story based on my favourite Shakespeare comedy (much like Ten Things I Hate About You), set in a high school. A high school for genuises. So it really was a geek-fest of epic proportions, celebrating intelligence and wit.
I was absolutely prepared to break out the popcorn and feast for a second time of more of the same. And Beatrice and Benedick (or their modern counterparts) even feature as secondary characters!
This time, the world expands to feature a summer camp, in which high school students can win scholarships to an elite college by out-performing each other in a series of tests and challenges. Sneaking away from her aspirational family (half of whom want Elliott to follow the family military route), she reinvents herself as Ever, and even finds another relative doing something similar!
The stage is set for a comedy of errors as Ever/Elliott attempts to make friends, win the scholarship and keep her identity under wraps. All while quoting in her mind from Oscar Wilde.
The Wildean connection I found rather tenuous. I know 'Earnest' fairly well and just didn't see this as a modern retelling. Having Ever quote it regularly, because her stepmother has performed it so many times and rehearsed with her step-daughter just felt a little forced. I loved the book, but didn't feel it connected at all well, unlike its predecessor.
You can very easily read this without knowing Wilde, and though a knowledge of Anderson's first will help with some in-jokes and references, that isn't necessary pre-reading either.
The characters are not quite as sparky and punchily witty as Ben and Bea in the first tale, but Ever is a likeable sci-fi nerd, effortlessly cool in the physical trials of the summer camp (an athletic geek?!), with other characters around her just as standout on the page.
I was waiting for a 'handbag' moment, the final line or its equivalent from 'Earnest' but I did like the teen romance/comedy/geekfest I found.
And I look forward to seeing what classic Anderson looks to next for her inspiration.
With thanks to Netgalley for the advance reading copy.
kaylarage's review against another edition
3.0
This took me a lot longer than it should have to finish because a lot of the parts seemed to take forever. A lot of the "smart" kid banter was just cheesy, sometimes forced pop culture reverences, not actually smart stuff. And Ever was kind of jerk. Not learning people's names isn't quirky or lazy, its just rude.
I can see where others would like this one, but I mostly didn't.
I received a free ARC from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway.
I can see where others would like this one, but I mostly didn't.
I received a free ARC from the publisher through a Goodreads giveaway.
christiana's review against another edition
4.0
This didn't feel as tight as Anderson's first, both in terms of the mystery (could anyone have figure this out on their own?) and things that were left without answers (without giving anything away, Brandon and Leigh's futures), but I have to hope that this is mostly because Anderson plans to continue with these characters in the future and I just have to be patient. Overall, the writing and story were good enough that I shirked most things to read instead and if that's not a win, I don't know what is.
pantsreads's review against another edition
4.0
Absolutely adorable, but I expect nothing less from Anderson. It was fun to revisit characters from her debut, The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You, in a new setting, with a new focus on different main characters.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
coralinejonesss's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't super into the voice, characters seemed to be trying too hard to be nerdy. It didn't feel natural.
doublearegee's review against another edition
4.0
I feel like going back and rereading The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You now, to remember how it relates to this one.
neglet's review against another edition
Lots of fun—I always like a setting with heightened competition, like the camp/scholarship contest in this one. Enjoyable banter and sympathetic characters.
saskiacb's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my gosh, Lily Anderson is a magical-being.
Not Now, Not Ever is an exciting novel set at a summer camp for genius 17-year-olds. This book has all the typical-camp feels; friendship, spontaneity, late-night activities and, of course, competition.
Ever, our protagonist, is an athletic genius whom I LOVE. She has run away from home, away from her parent's expectations to create her own path. We meet Leigh who is probably one of the best characters, she is hilarious, uber-smart (obviously) and awkwardly endearing. Brandon with his bowl-cut (so cute) who is NICE (I know, a genuinely nice guy who is never an asshole at any point during this narrative, a true Shocker) and infatuated with Ever, as she is with him. Their whole competition team made me scream with my love for friendships in YA.
Overall: cute, entertaining and light-hearted (for the most part).
After all, wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said that the very essence of romance is uncertainty.
Not Now, Not Ever is an exciting novel set at a summer camp for genius 17-year-olds. This book has all the typical-camp feels; friendship, spontaneity, late-night activities and, of course, competition.
Ever, our protagonist, is an athletic genius whom I LOVE. She has run away from home, away from her parent's expectations to create her own path. We meet Leigh who is probably one of the best characters, she is hilarious, uber-smart (obviously) and awkwardly endearing. Brandon with his bowl-cut (so cute) who is NICE (I know, a genuinely nice guy who is never an asshole at any point during this narrative, a true Shocker) and infatuated with Ever, as she is with him. Their whole competition team made me scream with my love for friendships in YA.
Overall: cute, entertaining and light-hearted (for the most part).
After all, wasn't it Oscar Wilde who said that the very essence of romance is uncertainty.
deviki's review against another edition
4.0
Books I've read and provided detailed reviews over the years but all data is lost after accidental deletion and GD refuse to restore it back.
Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes
Adding books back to my library for my own reference and tracking purposes