This book was an advanced readers copy given to me by Netgalley

2 out of 5 stars

Alright let's get into this. This book is about a huge frelationship (a friendship that functions as a relationship but doesn't call itself one) and I really don't enjoy those plots. So you read through four years of this plot line. It's basically a long love letter- literally novel length- read aloud by the recipient.


One of the plots in the novel is about brutal bullying and the aftermath of enduring it.

This was the part of the book i enjoyed the most. I was so frustrated that Tanner had to endure such a jerk in his school and no one did much about it. The people who tried to help were not successful in the system. Ugh, so frustrating to read!

Why was Tanner so forthcoming about his sex life in a love letter to someone else?? That seemed odd.

What I liked
I didn't like Shelby interacting with the people in college who she was reading this love letter to. It just wasn't believable that these literal strangers all stopped meeting new people and unpacking their rooms their FIRST day in college because they wanted to sit down and be read aloud to.

What I didn't like:
I didn't believe the love epiphany that Shelby had. Like- woah, I'm actually in love with him now that he repeatedly tells me he's in love with me- even though I actually knew he was in love with me our entire friendship. How does that make her fall in love with him suddenly? What changed? Was it really just that she was not around him for like 3 days and she missed him?

I didn't like the ending either but i won't give any spoilers.


What to do while reading this book:
Listen to: sing like you think no one's listening by straight run
Watch: highschool musical
Attempt: crocheting

If I could resume this book in just a few words, it would probably be: almost five hundred page long comedic tragedy. Because this book is sad, and because it's so long, it feels like the sadness will never end... and then you get to the ending, which I personally didn't expect after the drawn-out dramatic storyline I had just read. This book will make you laugh and it will make you tear up. Tragedies generally end with death, but comedies end with love... I'll let you guess which one it will be.

Warning: a lot of this book broke my heart. I wouldn't recommend reading this if you aren't in a good place emotionally, as it does deal with suicidal ideation, depression, and bullying... as well as unrequited love, PTSD, near-death experiences.

I would recommend to not let the beginning throw you off about the pacing of the book. The first few chapters are unsettling because they are so fast-paced, and there could be so much more context to this story. Then, once it gets into Tanner's letter, the pacing stabilizes and everything reads smoothly... and then the ending is as quickly paced as the beginning. I think this is a collection of four novellas (one per school year), so perhaps the structure of it made more sense as such.

I'd like to thank Katie Kaleski, as well as Netgalley, for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Now or Never Moment omnibus edition is all 4 parts of the series combined by Katie Kaleski. This was my first piece of work by Katie and I'm glad I read it as an whole and didn't have to wait for each part to be released as it really is captivating. I found her writing style deep, enchanting and it totally consumed me from start to finish.

I don't want to talk about what happens in this story for The Now or Never Moment really is a beautiful story and the synopsis tells you the main gist of what is going to happen. This book does cover bullying (Extreme bullying), depression and suicidal thoughts which may be triggers for some. I don't give spoilers in my reviews but I do feel these are points that should be made aware to the reader (And are clearly stated in the synopsis too). Katie (Author) deals with these hard subject matters in such a concise way that I feel she really understood Tanner and helped me to understand him too. He is such an amazing character and to be completely honest I don't feel I've EVER read a character like him, especially a male character. I didn't like Shelby at first, in fact throughout the book I found her selfish at times and completely unaware. How someone could be that unaware to the things her best friend was going through made me feel she didn't care. However, as you read the book and read through Shelby from Tanner's point of view in the past but also from Shelby's point of view in the present you understand a few things about Shelby too.

The Now or Never Moment is a long book, but only because this covers 4 years and is the omnibus edition. I read this over a few days but did read each year (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior - this is a little new for me as in the UK we do not have our years laid out like this) as a whole. I did struggle putting it down as I wanted to know what had happened to Tanner and what the future held for him. In fact by the time I reached Junior year I was extremely worried about him and his safety (Both mentally and physically).

This book isn't the easiest to read at times. Tanner is such a beautiful soul, I don't know if I could ever be as forgiving as he is. I think that takes so much strength and character. He is unique and was a pleasure to read about. I'm glad we got to hear the end and thank Katie for writing such a beautiful story of friendship, love and mental illness.

I give the whole omnibus of The Now or Never Moment 3.5 stars. This was close to a 4 star in I'm honest but at times was so hard to read that I struggled emotionally. This is not a rainbows and unicorns love story. Its a hard, harrowing at times journey, but worth it completely.

What I saw interesting in this book is the cover along with its synopsis. It pushed a button in me that made me want to read it. But alas! A good read wasn't what I was expecting. Let me break it down on the next paragraphs

Before I start writing about what I felt toward the book, let's get on with a brief overview about its content.

The book is written in two point of views: Tanner's, which is in first person, and Shelby's which is in third person. Tanner Tally is a guy who lives his high school life with bullying as a prime part in his life. All the events that happened in his four years in high school, he wrote down and shared those moments in his letter that he addressed to Shelby, his best friend since first year, and the girl he is deeply in love with ever since they met. Love, and transformation are what this book is mainly about.

This book clearly speaks about bullying and hot it affects its victims. Most of the time, the change doesn't seem obvious, but it's there somewhere. Bullying shouldn't be left unnoticed. The constant torment of getting physical and emotional damage is exhausting. And there's a limit to being exhausted.

Sometimes, bullying is being shrugged off, which is a HUGE problem. Bullying blows away a person's self-esteem--a vital part of being an individual. It's so easy to say, "oh, they'll be fine." or "they'll get over it." NO. That is definitely not the case! There's more to it than the eyes can see.

As for my opinion on the book, I felt that the book contained so much teenage hormones that it would sometimes make me cringe. Especially with Tanner. I felt uncomfortable on some parts of his letter, and I think he didn't have to be <b> that </b> detailed. But maybe that was him simply trying to pour his heart out. He would sometimes frustrate me with the decisions he made (thus the lack of one star in my ratings) but that could've been the effect of bullying. He could sometimes be self-absorbed and stubborn that he would sort of close himself from the help of others.

What frustrated me the most was his love for Shelby that was like an endless sea. Even with being in a relationship with other girls, his mind and heart was still with Shelby. I mean, he's got to give some credits to the other ladies! Especially Dana.

Speaking of, Dana is my favourite character in the book. Although viewed as someone who acts like a queen <b> B </b> (I don't like to swear), she was a fierce lady. I loved that she was an ever supportive friend (but in her own way). I think there was something genuine about her and that her personality was likeable. Even though she could be sarcastic at times and sort of a <b>b</b>.

In terms of structure, I felt that the story lacks something. Maybe some meat, maybe some in depth character because I could barely imagine how they felt and it was sometimes hard to relate emotions with them (another one star deduction). It also felt like the characters' voices were far from their own and I find it uncomfortable because they didn't sound like themselves. (And the last one star deduction).

Lastly, the ending. I think it was okay. There was closure but at the same time, it also got me thinking, <i>what? That's all?</i>. It sounded incomplete and that was sort of unsastisfying. Especially with Shelby! That girl got me screaming <i>whaaaaaaat??? </i> and <i>girl, you have a lot of explanation to make</i>.

Overall, to me, the emotional impact was medium high but the structure was the one that pulled it down. Nevertheless I was able to finish the book.

If you're looking for a summer read, maybe you'd like to check this book out! Just be aware for the triggers: <b> suicidal ideation, depression, bullying</b>

The Now or Never Moment:Omnibus by Katie Kaleski is a wonderful young adult romance that covers the friendship between Shelby and Tanner starting in their freshman year in high school until Shelby goes off to college. Tanner sends Shelby off to college with a thick envelope for her to read after she gets settled. In the letter Tanner explains to Shelby that he has always loved her, and goes into detail from the first time they met. This book brought out every kind of emotion in me. I strongly recommend this book for people who like romance with real life thrown in.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

First let me say this book deals with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. I suffer from the first two daily. And I have personally dealt with the last one. With all that being said I think that Katie Kaleski handled and wrote about all three with such empathy, compassion, and a loving heart.
The Now or Never Moment: Omnibus is a must read for anyone who has ever felt alone in this world. It is the story of Tanner Tally and his best friend Shelby. It is Tanner’s story, in his words, of how Shelby was his anchor to this world. She was his safe place. His love. Tanner starts his story the day he first meets Shelby, the first day of freshman year.
Kaleski has crafted a story that draws you in and holds you in it’s grasp with every emotion there is. You can fill the sadness, the love, the rage, the hurt, the remorse, and the grief. You ride the highs and lows of depression with Tanner and Shelby. The Now or Never Moment is beautifully written.
While I really want to shout and scream and discuss in the littlest detail about this book. I feel this is a book you should experience personally. Maybe it’s because mental illness is such a personal thing. Maybe it’s because I think if you’ve never dealt with a mental illness it will give you a better insight. I’m really not sure. LOL. But I can tell you this if you walk away from this book not having been moved I will be shocked to my core. I honestly didn’t think it would hit me quite the way it did.

#TheNowOrNeverMoment:Omnibus #NetGalley

Publisher synopsis: Shelby and Tanner have been inseparable ever since freshman year when she intervened to save him from a bully’s beating. Fast forward four intense years--Shelby is leaving for college. Without Tanner. Three days before she’s set to move, he hands her a thick envelope with explicit instructions:

In no way shape or form is she to open the envelope until she is perfectly settled in at school. She is not to even think of it until then.

No one has seen Tanner since that moment.

She opens the envelope to find a letter of epic proportions inside that spans their years in high school together. When she reads it out loud to almost her entire dorm, Shelby relives the good and all of the bad, and together they learn details that Tanner held back, the things he never told her. How much he really loves her.

Sometimes, all it takes is walking in someone else’s shoes to realize what you’ve known all along. Sometimes, that realization comes too late.

*this book deals with suicidal ideation, depression, and bullying*

Like anything there was good and there was bad, but it bothered me how this girl knew he loved her and how she reacted to it. She really tried to ignore signs all around her. The bullying was sad, but it was a realistic viewpoint and is a credit to the author to show the inner struggle of dealing with that kind of situation. I feel that Shelby's response in the end was over the top, like she hadn't looked in a mirror for several years. It was hard to like her as a character.

I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

First observation: The cover doesn't work for the story... a now or never moment is a serious, once in a lifetime event. This cover looks like a bored to tears doodle done by a daydreaming sophomore in a second-period math class. And when the aforementioned moment arrives, it feels a lot more powerful than the message sent by the cover. I don't want a cover that gives away the story, I just want it to suggest the seriousness of torment, unrequited love, bullying, and depression.
Anyway, since we don't judge a book by its cover, the story is good. The novella for each year of high school works in the retelling of a devastating start to a harsh coming of age story. The violent details and nothing held back narration works well. The violent details add diversification from the typical boy meets girl story, and there is a bigger message here. The characters felt real, their conversations and activities made sense but were offbeat enough to suggest they could walk off the page.

The Now or Never Moment: Omnibus
by Katie Kaleski
Review ♥ ♥ ♥

Shelby has left her best friend for college and as a leaving gift, he writes her a letter. Tanner bares his heart and soul to Shelby. A childhood friendship that blossomed. This story is broke into the then and now. Shelby is starting fresh but looking at the past through Tanner's letter. Originally this was a collection of stories which has now been brought together. It has high and low points. There is love and laughter, but also hate.

Tanner hasn't had it easy in life and Shelby has been his rock. His feelings for her go beyond friendship but could Shelby see him as more than a friend?

This was an emotional read. It had an interesting writing style and true love.

3 stars out of 5. *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Free of Kindle Unlimited or 99p Kindle Edition, 480 pages
Published January 23rd 2018

Did not finish after reading the first chapter. Could not connect to the writing or characters. Thank you for the opportunity to read this, though.

Book: The Now Or Never Moment
Author: Katie Kaleski
Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank NetGalley and Katie Kaleski for providing me with this ARC.

Going into this book, or rather series, I didn’t know what to expect. It just sounded like a cute and light read. I have been reading a lot of nonfiction and doing a lot of research for my own books and this just seemed like the perfect book to read to escape from all of that for a few hours. So with that being said, I went into this one with zero expectations and, guys, I was blown away.

I expected pure fluff without really any hidden meaning, but I was wrong. We get to explore love, normal teenage life, bullying, and mental illness all thrown into one. Yes, there are some very cliché parts, but come on, who doesn’t love that? We all do! I loved how it was serious at times, but light and fun other times. It kind of reminded me of Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson. It’s real life events brought across the page, but, yet, there is something wonderful about it.

This book is mostly written in letter format. Tanner writes to Shelby after she leaves for collage and they relive their high school years. We get to see the horror that Tanner went through and his battle with bullying and mental illness. Shelby is always there with him and is his rock. I really don’t think that without her, he would had gotten through it all.

Tanner is a really sweet guy, but he really doesn’t stand up for himself. Unlike so many male leads in books, Tanner is small, smart, and not athletic. He is the type of kid who everyone picks up and, yet, the adults don’t seem to believe him. His has a crappy home life, in which his parents blame him for everything. He really only finds a haven at Shelby’s. Yet, through all of this Tanner is caring and the type of guy girls want to be with. Sure, he makes a few mistakes along the way, but I think he does grow from them. He is not really a strong character, but, then again, he has to go through a lot of rough stuff.

Shelby is our lead girl. She is caring, but views Tanner as almost being like her brother. She will do anything for him and really helps him work through the bad stuff. She is bubbly and kind of an outcast too. She is into stuff that most teenagers really aren’t. I guess she kind of reminds me of Jenny Han’s Lara Jean-don’t take that the wrong way, because I adore Lara Jean. I don’t know. I really do think that Shelby is the one who keeps everyone together in the end.

Katie’s books are new to me. Like I said earlier, I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this one. I loved the writing. It was beautiful, emotional, and well done. I got the same vibes from this book as I do from Sarah Dessen and Morgan Matson. It just captures everyday life with a certain magic.

Overall, am surprising read! I must say that I enjoyed every bit of it!

I actually enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I was going to enjoy it! It follows the story of two best friends who meet freshman year and continue to be the best of friends throughout high school. The story starts with the confession of romantic love in a letter, not to be read until Shelby is comfortable at college. Tanner has spilled every moment of love and pain from the past four years into a letter that is both beautiful and heartbreaking to read. There are moments that are horribly heartbreaking to read as the level of bullying that goes on is awful and frustrating. The moments of kindness and friendship help the reader see the love that these two share more clearly than Shelby does. This is an omnibus so it contains all the books in the series in one setting and I'm so glad that it did so I didn't have to wait to read the rest of their story. It left me happily wishing for another story that visits these two after the letter is completed... will definitely check out more by Katie Kaleski! Thanks netgalley for this arc!

What I loved: First, I loved that I read this as an omnibus because it would have killed me to wait between each year! Second, I loved pretty much everything about this book. I had a love/hate relationship with Shelby at times, but I think her actions/reactions were fairly appropriate for teens. I just adored Tanner the entire way through. There was a genuine-ness about this book that just made me like it. Though I did feel it wrapped up a bit quickly (I mean, why was he standing there when she got there? Who tipped him off?) but really that was just me being needy.
What I liked: This was real life. Bullies get away with it all the time and though that doesn't make me happy, it made me happy that a book dealt with that reality. I don't like that it happens, I like that this author tackled that. And I loved the range of emotions Tanner felt about it.
What I hated: Well Hugo...DUH!
Read-alikes: I've struggled with read alikes. This book to me was unique, BUT, I had a feeling of The Spectacular Now while reading this, though I liked this one much better.

An enjoyable book that kept me turning the page. I wasn't quite sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised and liked how it was written in a letter format rather than the typical chapter format that books tend to have.

The Now or Never Moment: Omnibus
by Katie Kaleski
Katie Katie Kaleski


New Adult , Teens & YA
Pub Date 23 Jan 2018


I am reviewing a copy of The Now or Never Moment: Omnibus through Katie Kaleski and Netgalley:


What do you do when you fall in love with someone but don't realize it until they are gone.

From the time they were Freshmen and Shelby intervened to save Tanner from a Bully's beating. Four intense years later and Shelby is heading to college, Tanner hands her a thick envelope with the instructions not to read until she is settled into School.


No one has seen Tanner since that day!


She finds a letter inside that spans all four of their high school years. Shelby reads the letter to most of her dorm, reliving all the moments highlighted and realizes that the one thing Tanner was afraid to tell her was that he loved her, and she has come to realize that she loved him too!


Sometimes it takes loosing someone for us to realize how much they meant to us!


Five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!