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novelbloglover 's review for:
Not Now, Not Ever
by Lily Anderson
Book Review
Title: Not now, Not ever
Author: Lily Anderson
Genre: YA/Family/Romance
Rating: *****
Review: In the opening chapter of Not now, Not ever we meet Ever as she runs away from home to attend Camp Onward where she could get a full scholarship to Rayevich College, her dream school. She is also a huge reader and has an inner voice that she named Oscar Wilde. She also meets Cornell Aaron who is buddy to help her through the three-week summer school but in learning why Ever has run away we also learn that Ever Lawrence is Elliot Gabaroche and everyone close to Elliot thinks she is somewhere different to where she really is. The one side of his family almost always joins the military and the other half go into practical jobs like law and business, but Elliot wants to take a science fiction literature course. As she begins to settle into the Camp things take a dramatic turn when Isaiah her cousin shows up from the same programme. Ever/Elliot is obviously panicked by Isaiah’s arrival but since neither wants to end up in the academy they both agree to work together to keep their admission to the Camp a secret from everyone that knows them and in the progress of creating a cover story the cousins now become twins.
The competition both Ever and Isaiah are entered in is called the Tarrasch Melee and the prize is a fully paid 4-year scholarship to Rayevich College but everyone there is competing for the same prize. One thing that was interesting to see was the introduction scene, as all the campers are sorted into groups that will compete against each other they do an ice breaker to get to know one another. In the ice breaker they must introduce themselves and give their chosen major on which they are then quizzed and despite everyone being classified as a genius in some way some know their subject areas far better than others. As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel we see the cousins now twins settle into the camp life and try to get their life story straight to avoid detection and getting thrown out of their only chance at a life of their own choosing.
The first lesson Ever’s group has is literature obviously her favourite and in the college library she finds a book that she has never been able to get her hands on before because the author took it out of print. Despite being over a quarter of the way through Not now, Not ever not a lot has happened apart from settling into the school and starting lessons, it also seems a little stereotypical with everyone being friends and no real conflicts being presented to add texture to the characters but there is still plenty of book left for it to happen. In addition to the Melee there are other non-academic challenge the campers will face, the first being a strange game of tag in the dead of night which Ever wins with some smart thinking and self-preservation skills. I also see a hint of a possible romance between Brandon and Ever which would be great as they are both smart although Ever seems to be the outgoing while Brandon is very awkward, and I feel they would compliment each other.
I really liked the fact that almost everything involved in the camp experience is a test including the evening movie showing of the Breakfast Club (classic by the way). As we approach the halfway mark in the novel I was really getting into the experience and connecting with the characters. Despite this novel not being in my normal genre preference as I am hardcore into fantasy this novel was surprisingly enjoyable. As the group face their first mock Melee some find themselves unprepared for the level of knowledge required in a vast area of subjects as each has their own speciality. Things become a little more dramatic when some of the boys get their hands on the test schedule, so they can prepare for what is to come although this may come back to bite them on the behind if they aren’t careful. I really loved the constant references to modern literature from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Hunger Games, Battle Royale and Harry Potter, it makes the dialogue between nerdy friends seem far more realistic.
My inkling about the romance was spot on but that first kiss scene completely took me by surprise, I am so loving this pairing it is perfect. Ever’s group has realised that the tutors are pushing them so hard to see how quickly they break and as the information and test come faster and harder you can literally see the cracks appearing in some students. There also seems to be a thief on campus, while one or two binders went missing early on in the novel a total of 32 are now missing and harsher rules have been put in place for the campers and everyone seems to be holding their notes for the Melee closer than ever now. Despite the school dorms being divided by gender Brandon and Ever find some time to be alone and he even manages to find a way to get them off campus for a few hours to take her on their first official date. One thing I can say about this novel is it isn’t at all cheesy or bland despite playing on the summer school/camp romance which is a little overused in this genre and it gets bonus point for being diverse.
I really like how Anderson threads together the contemporary and mystery elements of this novel and it was a nice to see the pieces of the puzzle coming together when one of the missing binders is found in a tree house on campus. As we near the end of the novel the Melee battles finally begin, and the stakes are higher for some than others as well can see with Ever and Isaiah. In the final section of this novel we see the mystery resolved, relationship repaired, and one extraordinary person allowed to live their own life. Overall, I must say I really enjoyed Not now, Not ever although I would have like the reverse resolution but it was a quick, fun read that took me completely by surprise.
Title: Not now, Not ever
Author: Lily Anderson
Genre: YA/Family/Romance
Rating: *****
Review: In the opening chapter of Not now, Not ever we meet Ever as she runs away from home to attend Camp Onward where she could get a full scholarship to Rayevich College, her dream school. She is also a huge reader and has an inner voice that she named Oscar Wilde. She also meets Cornell Aaron who is buddy to help her through the three-week summer school but in learning why Ever has run away we also learn that Ever Lawrence is Elliot Gabaroche and everyone close to Elliot thinks she is somewhere different to where she really is. The one side of his family almost always joins the military and the other half go into practical jobs like law and business, but Elliot wants to take a science fiction literature course. As she begins to settle into the Camp things take a dramatic turn when Isaiah her cousin shows up from the same programme. Ever/Elliot is obviously panicked by Isaiah’s arrival but since neither wants to end up in the academy they both agree to work together to keep their admission to the Camp a secret from everyone that knows them and in the progress of creating a cover story the cousins now become twins.
The competition both Ever and Isaiah are entered in is called the Tarrasch Melee and the prize is a fully paid 4-year scholarship to Rayevich College but everyone there is competing for the same prize. One thing that was interesting to see was the introduction scene, as all the campers are sorted into groups that will compete against each other they do an ice breaker to get to know one another. In the ice breaker they must introduce themselves and give their chosen major on which they are then quizzed and despite everyone being classified as a genius in some way some know their subject areas far better than others. As we approach the ¼ mark in the novel we see the cousins now twins settle into the camp life and try to get their life story straight to avoid detection and getting thrown out of their only chance at a life of their own choosing.
The first lesson Ever’s group has is literature obviously her favourite and in the college library she finds a book that she has never been able to get her hands on before because the author took it out of print. Despite being over a quarter of the way through Not now, Not ever not a lot has happened apart from settling into the school and starting lessons, it also seems a little stereotypical with everyone being friends and no real conflicts being presented to add texture to the characters but there is still plenty of book left for it to happen. In addition to the Melee there are other non-academic challenge the campers will face, the first being a strange game of tag in the dead of night which Ever wins with some smart thinking and self-preservation skills. I also see a hint of a possible romance between Brandon and Ever which would be great as they are both smart although Ever seems to be the outgoing while Brandon is very awkward, and I feel they would compliment each other.
I really liked the fact that almost everything involved in the camp experience is a test including the evening movie showing of the Breakfast Club (classic by the way). As we approach the halfway mark in the novel I was really getting into the experience and connecting with the characters. Despite this novel not being in my normal genre preference as I am hardcore into fantasy this novel was surprisingly enjoyable. As the group face their first mock Melee some find themselves unprepared for the level of knowledge required in a vast area of subjects as each has their own speciality. Things become a little more dramatic when some of the boys get their hands on the test schedule, so they can prepare for what is to come although this may come back to bite them on the behind if they aren’t careful. I really loved the constant references to modern literature from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, The Hunger Games, Battle Royale and Harry Potter, it makes the dialogue between nerdy friends seem far more realistic.
My inkling about the romance was spot on but that first kiss scene completely took me by surprise, I am so loving this pairing it is perfect. Ever’s group has realised that the tutors are pushing them so hard to see how quickly they break and as the information and test come faster and harder you can literally see the cracks appearing in some students. There also seems to be a thief on campus, while one or two binders went missing early on in the novel a total of 32 are now missing and harsher rules have been put in place for the campers and everyone seems to be holding their notes for the Melee closer than ever now. Despite the school dorms being divided by gender Brandon and Ever find some time to be alone and he even manages to find a way to get them off campus for a few hours to take her on their first official date. One thing I can say about this novel is it isn’t at all cheesy or bland despite playing on the summer school/camp romance which is a little overused in this genre and it gets bonus point for being diverse.
I really like how Anderson threads together the contemporary and mystery elements of this novel and it was a nice to see the pieces of the puzzle coming together when one of the missing binders is found in a tree house on campus. As we near the end of the novel the Melee battles finally begin, and the stakes are higher for some than others as well can see with Ever and Isaiah. In the final section of this novel we see the mystery resolved, relationship repaired, and one extraordinary person allowed to live their own life. Overall, I must say I really enjoyed Not now, Not ever although I would have like the reverse resolution but it was a quick, fun read that took me completely by surprise.