There’s something so fresh, fun, and real about Timothy Janovsky’s writing, this is his third book and I have adored each and every one. New Adult reminds me of 13 Going on 30 or Big (cause I’m old lol), if the main character was a 23 year old on-the-cusp comedian secretly in love with his roommate.

After failed attempts at making it big in comedy, Nolan Baker has decided to finally “get serious.” He’s going to apply for the stable job and finally tell his best friend and roommate, Drew Techler, how he feels at his sister’s wedding. But when the call comes in for an opener slot during the wedding itself - his decisions impact the future more than he could have anticipated.

30 year old Nolan learns that fame isn’t everything when you’re alone. When he tries to find his way back to make things right, he finds an unlikely ally in Drew - who now despises him. Will Nolan be able to who he truly is, and gain back his real life?

I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.
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I absolutely loved this!! This series just gets better with everybody. I enjoyed Never Been Kissed, loved Your a Mean One, Matthew Prince, and then New Adult, which has been my favorite one yet!

New Adult follows Nolan, an aspiring comedian who ends up in a 13 Going on 30 situation. He falls asleep at 23, after ditching his sisters wedding and long-time crush Drew to deal with the fall out, and wakes up in his 30 year old body, seven years into the future.

I loved watching Nolan's growth as a person and I felt that the progression was pretty natural. All thanks to some magic, time traveling crystals! New Adult was a fun, friends-to-lovers romance, but it also focused on Nolan's relationships with his family and friends and discovering what is most important in our lives.

I'd like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me the opportunity to read an ARC of New Adult in exchange for an honest review. This novel was an absolute delight, and I raced through its pages with enthusiasm. Drawing inspiration from the charm of 13 Going on 30 and One Last Stop, this LGBTQIA+ romance is a heartwarming tale that explores themes of self-discovery, love, and the pursuit of dreams.

Nolan Baker, our endearing protagonist, is on a quest to achieve the idyllic life he envisions by the time he turns thirty. However, life has thrown him curveballs, and he finds himself at a crossroads. The story takes an intriguing twist when Nolan gets a chance to glimpse his future self after making a wish on magical healing crystals. What follows is a delightful journey of self-improvement, reconnection with his past, and an attempt to mend strained relationships. Nolan's character is relatable and lovable, and as he navigates the complexities of his altered future, he becomes even more endearing. The supporting cast adds depth to the narrative, with each character having their own moments of humor and drama. Imogen, in particular, shines as a character who leaves a lasting impression.

New Adult is a comedy that boasts impeccable timing and pacing, with short, engaging chapters that keep readers hooked. It's a story filled with quirky charm, heartwarming moments, and a strong message about embracing one's true self. This LGBTQIA+ romance is a delightful addition to the genre, and I highly recommend it to those looking for a heartwarming and humorous read to brighten their day.

Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This might be my biggest disappointment of 2023. One Last Stop (a comp for this novel's marketing) is one of my all-time favorite novels. I love 'Matthew Prince' and will likely reread it in the upcoming holiday season.

However, New Adult's biggest flaw for me was that I could not stand Nolan Baker. I really love Janovsky's writing style (and will likely pick up his future work) but Nolan did not work for me. To love a novel, I have to love the main characters. I was halfway through this novel when I realized I wished we heard from Drew. I think had we maybe had a twist to the 13 going on 30 and seen Drew's POV this novel would've been more engaging. Drew pre-time jump is not as developed as we're mainly shown how unbearable and stupid Nolan is. I also felt Nolan's internal redemption arc could've been more developed and detailed to turn him from a unlikeable MC to a likeable MC.

There will be no surprise that I was hella into this. I have liked all of the books by him so I knew it was going to be an easy read to me. I still loved Matthew Prince the best, but I think this was my second favorite. It was much heavier than I was expecting it to be.

Normally his books are hilarious. But this time it was more heavy than I thought. It showed Nolan and how selfish he was. He just wanted all the fame, but he didn’t account to the fact that he would do anything and run over everyone to get it. And I think that’s the lesson in this. What would you do to get what you think you deserve? Would you run over (or not even think about in this case) the people who love you? In this case he didn’t think he had anyone, but honestly, I don’t even think I could have done that. The way he left his sister’s wedding like that was some bull shit lol She hadn’t even said anything bad to him at the time.

The coolest thing about this was gems tho. I do wish the magic was explained a little more than just in the ending scene, but I do understand that he didn’t really understand what was happening his self. But I do wish they had told what the crystals were or something. But I also listened to the e-ARC, so maybe they did that in the final copy. They told the names of them, but I had to go look up what they were on my own. I think it would have given the story a little more depth if they had just put it in the story.

The romance in this was ADORABLE. To be honest I think I liked Drew better than the main character. He was the sweetest thing and I really thought he was realistic and a great love interest. Exactly what Nolan needed to bring him back to himself. He definitely needed someone to tell him the truth and I applauded Drew for doing that.

This book was the cutest. I wonder if Janovsky had trouble writing this. Like I said it was the heaviest I remember from him. I would call it growth, but he’s written heavy things before. I just thought this one was crafted really well. I love this series, I hope there’s more.

In this modern, LGBTQ+ take on "Thirteen Going on Thirty," we see 23 yo struggling stand-up Nolan ditch his sister's wedding reception and stand up his long-time love and BFF, Drew, for his shot at a big break. After returning to a wedding of upset family members and Drew, before he goes to bed he wishes on some crystals he received in his swag bag that he could skip to "the good part." Nolan wakes up in a fabulous park-view apartment next to a handsome stranger and soon learns he's a famous stand-up comic about to tape a Netflix special--and he hasn't spoken to Drew or his family for seven years. Determined to figure out what happened and get back to his original timeline, Nolan tracks down Drew and forces him to help. But as the two mend fences and grow closer, Nolan begins to wonder whether he actually wants to go back...

I was skeptical of this premise. I don't love the movie its inspired by, and tend to find books with mystical, time paradox elements hard to swallow. But I LOVED this book. It was so, so good, and I found myself torn over what I wanted Nolan to do. I thought the ending wrapped everything up perfectly and I couldn't have asked for more. The romance wasn't really the central point, though it was certainly present, and that didn't bother me at all because the rest of the story was so good.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Casa for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

I was so excited to dive into this, especially because 13 Going on 30 is one of my favourite rom-coms. I think that the comparison to such a beloved movie made my expectations very high and encouraged me to compare the book to the movie, which ultimately led to disappointment. My biggest challenge as a reader was pacing - where as the time jump happens in the movie around 10% in, it didn't happen in the book until the 35% mark. I strongly feel that was too much lead to the inciting incident and I almost DNF'ed because it was too much time spent with our MC before he realized the error in his ways etc - he was just unlikable and mean to his loved ones. It's hard to root for someone who is awful for over 1/3 of the book! Once the time jump happened I really enjoyed the relationship and plot, but because of the slow start my experience with this was dampened.

this was CLEVER and creative and once i got into the storyline (which admittedly took a little), it had me so hooked and curious! loved how it unfolded and evolved, playing with magic/timelines/a "goop" like workplace/PR wedding/culture in unique ways that worked so well in a story. i really enjoyed this one!

Nolan Baker has a seven year plan to become a famous comedian, but when he's given crystals that jump him ahead in time seven years, he learns that his dreams come without his best friend and family. Nolan has to figure out how to either find his way back in time or fix the mistakes another version of him created. It's a fun and emotional read about choices and second chances.

4.5 ⭐️ | The character development in this was *chef‘s kiss*. A lot of times I just wanted to shake Nolan for being the way he was at the beginning but in the end I was more than rooting for him and Drew who I absolutely loved. I really enjoyed the mix between fun & trope-y romcom and serious themes.

New Adult was pretty fun! I adore 13 going on 30 so this was right up my alley. A fun romantic comedy that came together seamlessly. A must read for fans of this type of story.

Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to check out an ARC of this book through NetGalley!

Was so excited to read this book as I have thoroughly enjoyed Timothy's other novels!

Once I started this I couldn't put it down. I'm not usually one for magical realism, but I felt like this was done in a way that really captures my attention.

It has everything I could want, friends to lovers, second chances, stand up comedy, crystals, and more!

I ended up dnfing this book 30% in. I adored Timothy other books so I went into this blindly. I should have looked more into the synopsis because knowing just how much of the plot relays on the MC being a bad friend/person I think I would have been more wary. Sadly wasn’t for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca, and Timothy Janovsky for providing me with an eARC of this book. This is my honest review.
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As a self-designated Timothy Janovsky devotee and as someone who watched 13 Going On 30 an ungodly amount of times, I knew I had to read New Adult. Packed with humor, heartfelt queer romance, and genuine personal growth, New Adult was a definite win for me! 🙌🏽
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I won’t lie. Nolan was infuriating at first, but that’s the thing about Timothy Janovsky’s characters. By the end they’ve somehow wormed their way into all the crevices of your heart. Watching Nolan become a more aware, more compassionate person in his relationships with himself, his family, and Drew was such a joy. Drew! The LOML! If sunshine were a person, it’d be Drew 💛
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I don’t usually gravitate towards friends to lovers romances, but I loved it here. Zero spoilers, but the relationship between Nolan and Drew, both as friends and romantically, was so bittersweet.
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I loved the science fiction/fantasy undertones here! The magical items, the timey wimey-ness. It was such a fun element that added yet another layer to Janovsky’s normal dose of charm 💛
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I’m still firmly in the Timothy Janovsky fan club. I can’t wait to see what else he has in store! If you’re looking for a new romance read that’ll have you smiling for days and that’s reminiscent of films like 13 Going On 30 and Freaky Friday, give New Adult a shot!
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New Adult is the newest installment in the standalone romance series, Boy Meets Boy. It is available for purchase in ebook, paperback, and audiobook format.

When I finally started this book I had entirely forgotten the synopsis so I was definitely surprised when there was a magical time jump. However, overall I enjoyed the story. I didn't love Nolan as a main character --obviously in the beginning he was very problematic and annoying but even when he had changed and grown as a person I did not love him. Drew was the highlight of the story for me.

Ah, what a lovely book!
I honestly can't decide what I liked more, the friends to lovers, second chance romance between the main character and his best friend, or the complicated, but ultimately heartwarming sibling dynamic between the main character and his sister. I think Timothy Janovsky perfectly weaved these two main subplots and the end result was marvelous. That's what I call craftsmanship.

This is the story of Nolan Baker, a 23 year old aspiring comedian, living in New York and trying to make it big in the industry. He is such a conflicting character, I honestly had a hard time deciding if I like him or despise him for the ill timed decisions he makes. While I understood his desire to show people around him that he's not a nobody and that he can succeed in the career choice he made, I also wanted to shake him and make him realise that his dream of becoming a famous comedian isn't what life is all about. Family is always more important.

I absolutely loved the use of magic and time travel. Nolan goes 7 years into the future with the help of some mysterious crystals. Once there, he realises that his biggest dream has come true, but at what cost?! His redemption arc is absolutely exquisite, I teared up several times because my god, he was so relatable in his struggles to prove himself. But alas, he realises that putting his career before anything else isn't the best life choice.

I loved the entire concept of the book, but my favourite part was definitely the last quarter where he starts mending relationships and setting new priorities. It was such an emotional journey.

And don't get me started on the love interest, Drew Techler. What a freaking gem of a human. So shy and nerdy and supportive and absolutely amazing. Their friendship was precious. The side characters were wonderful, as well. I especially loved CeeCee. I think the discussion of sibling rivalry was spot on. I loved every interaction they had, their connection made me very emotional because well, I have an older sister and I couldn't possibly imagine getting on her bad side and not having her in my life.

Timothy Janovsky was already am autobuy author for me, but this book solidified his place in my top 10 favourite m/m romance authors.

Nolan wants to skip to the good part, and then is given the chance to do so. But he finds that although he is seven years ahead, at the good part, he doesn’t know how he has gotten here, and why all his former friends are talking to him, including his crush from forever.

As he tries to patch his life together, his fabulous new life which is everything he wanted, he wonders, of course, if he really does. Yes, he is a huge comedy star, but at the expense of everyone he has loved.

So, while he tries to repair the relationships of the present, he is also trying to find a way back to his former life, where he figures, like Scrooge, he can repair what he did wrong, because this is not the true future, but the future that might be.

Great fun, watching him try to repair things, and step gingerly around things. I love these sorts of stories, because you always wonder if they will guide the future to what it is, or where it should have gone.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. I am late in reviewing this ARC, as it came out on the 15th of August 2023, and is totally available everywhere.

Timothy Janovsky never misses! NEW ADULT is a fun 13 Going on 30-inspired rom-com that was executed beautifully. I adore magic realism in rom-coms, and this one delivered!

4.5*

This is my favorite Timothy Janovsky book so far! New Adult was fun and entertaining, but also quite endearing and touching. Nolan is facing some tough life choices when he makes a wish on some crystal, but he may just have gotten more than he bargained for.

Jumping ten years into the future, Nolan has it all...or at least it appears he does. But he soon realizes the life he planned for himself might not just be the life of his dreams. I liked seeing Nolan's growth during his time in the future. He really started to see what he wasn't appreciating in his present and did his best to make changes while he could.

The romance with Drew, his best friend, was a roller coaster! But I was so happy with how things turned out, and how hard Nolan worked to make things right- both in his time in the future, and his present. I love friends to lovers and these two were meant to be, even if they were both a little slow to admit it!

While New Adult is marked as part of the Boy Meets Boy series, it can definitely be read as a standalone- there are no crossovers from the previous books.

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Unfortunately the writing style didn't work for me, which stinks because the concept sounded really compelling!