A review by kelly_e
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore

lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Title: Oona Out of Order
Author: Margarita Montimore
Genre: Fiction
Rating:
Pub Date: February 25 2020

T H R E E • W O R D S

Reflective • Time travel • Light-hearted

📖 S Y N O P S I S

December 31st, 1982 - on the eve of her nineteenth birthday, Oona has her life in front of her, and is facing down a difficult decision that could ultimately change her life. But at the stroke of midnight, Oona faints and awakens thirty-two years down the road, in her fifty-one-year-old body. What she comes to learn is she's afflicted with a condition in which she skips to a different year of her life with each turn of the calendar; living her life out of order. Oona Out of Order is an exploration of life and time, of love and loss, and what it means to live.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I went into this novel not knowing what to expect. Not typically being a fan of time traveling books (I end up confused), but Oona Out of Order was a unique and pleasant surprise, that had me both laughing and crying. In fact, I didn't want it to end! After reading the first chapter, I knew I wanted to know what Oona would experience in each different year, never knowing where she'd end up. Time travel can sometimes be confusing and scientific it takes away from the story - not the case here. It definitely gave me 13 Going on 30 and 50 First Dates vibes. The descriptions and references to pop culture, and technological changes over the years, were a fun addition to the story. I couldn't help but feel attached to Oona, her mother, and Kenzie, and especially for Dale. A poignant and moving story so beautifully written and thought-provoking it left me thinking about what life would be like to live it out of order, and a reminder of everything taken for granted, and the importance of living in the moment.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• those who enjoy time travel/alternate reality stories
• fans of The Midnight Library & Maybe in Another Life
• readers that likes 13 Going on 30 and/or 50 First Dates

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"All good things end, always. The trick is to enjoy them while they last.

"Anger can be energy. Don't burn, soar."

"They'll be peppered in with the years you do have me. It'll be easier in some ways. If you were living a normal person's chronology, I'd be out of your life forever. At least you'll be able to look forward to seeing me again. And when I'm not here, you'll have Kenzie."

"Imperfect was better than unspoken." 

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