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A review by mackenzierm
Whenever You're Ready by Rachel Runya Katz
3.0
Michal introduced Nia and Jade at her 10th birthday party and they’ve been inseparable since. Michal died three years ago and now Nia and Jade are barely on speaking terms. When Nia reads the letter Michal wrote her for her 29th birthday, asking Nia and Jade to go on the southern Jewish history road trip they had planned before she died. Jonah, Jade’s twin brother and Michal’s then-boyfriend, joins on the trip as well. As the trip goes on, old issues arise, forcing Nia and Jade to confront what happened between them three years prior, their feelings for each other, and their respective relationships with Jonah.
WHENEVER YOU’RE READY is told in dual timelines and dual POV, transitioning between Nia and Jade’s POVs within the same chapters. I found it a bit difficult to differentiate between Nia and Jade’s voices though as they didn’t feel super distinct.
I loved seeing the relationships Michal, Jade, Nia, and Jonah shared in the past and present. The communication, particularly what we see of it in the present, is difficult at times, but feels realistic. I don’t feel like we get much of an explanation of what happens between Jade and Nia that causes them to drift apart three years prior and I would have appreciated more context on this. I also think that the pacing and storytelling to a certain extent, don’t allow for a good connection between the reader and the characters.
The romance is a very slow burn and ended up being my least favorite aspect of this story (sorry not sorry). I think the emotional trajectory of this story was the most meaningful part overall. I liked how Jonah, Jade, and Nia are able to slowly redefine the relationships they share amongst each other by the end of the story.
I really enjoyed the Southern USA Jewish historical tour. I thought it was a very interesting snapshot into a small piece of Jewish culture and history while creating a rich backstory and emotional connection to the characters and their culture. The settings the characters visited were descriptive and easy to envision.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St Martin’s Press, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.
WHENEVER YOU’RE READY is told in dual timelines and dual POV, transitioning between Nia and Jade’s POVs within the same chapters. I found it a bit difficult to differentiate between Nia and Jade’s voices though as they didn’t feel super distinct.
I loved seeing the relationships Michal, Jade, Nia, and Jonah shared in the past and present. The communication, particularly what we see of it in the present, is difficult at times, but feels realistic. I don’t feel like we get much of an explanation of what happens between Jade and Nia that causes them to drift apart three years prior and I would have appreciated more context on this. I also think that the pacing and storytelling to a certain extent, don’t allow for a good connection between the reader and the characters.
The romance is a very slow burn and ended up being my least favorite aspect of this story (sorry not sorry). I think the emotional trajectory of this story was the most meaningful part overall. I liked how Jonah, Jade, and Nia are able to slowly redefine the relationships they share amongst each other by the end of the story.
I really enjoyed the Southern USA Jewish historical tour. I thought it was a very interesting snapshot into a small piece of Jewish culture and history while creating a rich backstory and emotional connection to the characters and their culture. The settings the characters visited were descriptive and easy to envision.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St Martin’s Press, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions expressed are my own.