A review by beckyyreadss
Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

4.0

I wanted to read this book because I adored the first book and I adore the Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon, so when this got announced I was so excited. During the first book, I related so much to Rowan. In this book, I wanted to hug Neil because I felt his story in my bones.  

This book has two points of view. Rowan and Neil were longtime rivals until they confessed their feelings on the last day of senior year, and they knew they’d only have a couple months together before they left for college. Now summer is over, and they’re determined to make their relationship work as they begin school in different places. The first point of view is Rowan, she is in Boston and is eager to be among other aspiring novelists, learning from a creative writing professor she adores. She's just not sure why she suddenly can’t seem to find her voice. The second point of view is Neil, he is in New York and is embraces the chaos of the city, clicking with a new friend group more easily than he anticipated. But when his past refuses to leave him alone, he doesn’t know how to handle his rapidly changing mental health or how to talk about it with the girl he loves. Over a year of late-night phone calls, weekend visits and East Coast adventures, Rowan and Neil fall for each other again and again as they grapple with the uncertainty of their new lives. They've spent so many years at odds with each other and now that they’re finally on the same team, what does the future hold for them? 

I loved the dual POV, it was so needed during this book. During the first book, I loved Rowan and connected with her so much and I didn’t really like Neil. In this book, I've had a complete 180. I understood Rowan’s struggles with college and believe me, still wanted to give her a hug. But my god, Neil was just heartbreaking. I felt like Rachel was in my brain. I have gone no contact with my father within the last year (he didn’t go to prison like Neil’s dad) but the way he felt about his dad and how he was talking about his dad affected his childhood was a full-on kick in the teeth. It’s like she managed to describe EXACTLY how I was thinking. The whole time, I wanted to tell Neil that it was going to get better and I'm so glad he got the help he needed. I feel like young men’s mental health isn’t discussed as much and Rachel did this perfectly.  

I just wanted more from the epilogue, maybe a third book as them as adult. I don’t want to say goodbye to these characters. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings