Cover Image: Always Never Yours

Always Never Yours

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

*eGalley provided by the publisher via NetGalley - thank you! This in no way impacted my opinions of this book.*

This book is basically a love letter to the girls who doubt themselves, who convince themselves that they aren't enough of something. A testament to the Perks of Being a Wallflower idea that "we accept the love we think we deserve," Megan always seems to be the girl that guys date right before they find The One. Not only that, but she's accepted it and resigned herself to that fate. But when things are complicated with her latest crush and she makes an unexpected friend during her school's production of Romeo & Juliet (in which Megan is the reluctant lead opposite her ex-boyfriend), she is forced to confront the walls she has up and the excuses she hides behind.

If I could give this book a 3.5, I would. It did a lot of things right. Megan and Owen are simultaneously adorable and complicated, and I loved their scenes together. At times, probably just because I'm older and my teenage years are far behind me, I felt like some reactions or situations were a bit over the top and couldn't quite connect with, but overall, I really liked it.

Was this review helpful?

I actually cried while reading this book. I have a Spock-like heart, but there were parts of this book that really spoke to me. This book is for anyone that has struggled with finding their voice, dealt with heartache, or felt that they've been left behind. It's a smart, witty, and engrossing novel that I want to read again and again.

Was this review helpful?

I love the story line! It was a very good and fun concept. I could relate to the main characters in unexpected ways. Obviously the main character is more slutty/flirty than most people, which I couldn't relate to so well. I wasn't impressed with the main character calling EVERYTHING a hook-up. But I fell in love with Owen! I just kept hoping for a certain thing in the last time they did the play, but everything else was great! The author even made me care about the story Romeo and Juliet, and gave me interesting things to think about.

Was this review helpful?

This book took me by surprise! I was expecting it to be lighter and fluffier, but it actually brought up a lot of interesting points and perspectives. It was refreshing to have the lead female character be the one always pursuing love interests. She is bold, funny, flirty, and a strong friend, but she isn't invincible. The moments when her real emotions shine through drew me in and made me love her more. I loved the different plot dynamics: relationship issues (both romantic and friendly), family issues, self-identity issues, and learning lessons through your own mistakes. This book was the perfect blend of romance, family, drama, and humor. It was one of those books that left me thinking about it when I wasn't reading, wondering what the characters are doing and how everything will work out. The only thing I didn't love was how the ending was written. Everything ended concretely, but it just sounded like a lot more like a summary than a story. Overall, though, I really enjoyed this read!

Was this review helpful?

This was a very fun read. It had some typical YA cliches (backstabbing best friend, the quiet love interest is secretly very muscular, a few "mean" girls), but that is to be expected. I enjoyed following Megan as she dealt with her family issues, friends, the play, et cetera. Overall, although cliched, Always Never Yours is still an enjoyable book and I would recommend it.

Was this review helpful?

***Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.

Megan is always the girl that guys date before they find the one they want a serious relationship with. She has embraced that role wholeheartedly. Until life circumstances make her reconsider if that's who she truly wants to be.

I did not at all like this book. I wouldn't recommend it to any teen I know based simply on the questionable content. There might have been a redeeming message, but it's overshadowed by the sex. All the sex. Talk of sex. Having sex. Casual sex. More committed sex. Hooking up. Making out. Plus a bit of drinking and language. But mainly the sex.

Now I'm not an ostrich with my head in the sand thinking there aren't a lot of teens out there having sex. I'm sure there are. However, I don't think that is something we need to hold up to them as tantamount to real love or feelings or relationships.

I did not like Megan. I did not like Tyler. I did not like Anthony. I like Owen a bit. He seemed the most insightful character in the whole mess. I did not like Megan's parents and parental figures who were mainly just there because...I'm not really sure. Other than one talk with her dad towards the end, there was no parenting or guiding going on.

I struggled with Megan being so shallow and flighty. If a guy looked good, he was a potential next hook up for her. People say that art (and writing) is just a reflection of our culture and society. Well, I hope not. Because I'd like to give the youth of today a bit more credit for their character and depth.

I did like the Shakespeare references sprinkled throughout, especially towards the start of the book. And I really liked the premise. But, again, not worth the read.

***If you would like to read more of my reviews and bookish thoughts, please visit mommyreadsbooks.blogspot.com Thanks!

Was this review helpful?

Megan is in high school and has had a couple of boyfriends. Just when she thinks things are going good her boyfriend breaks up with her and starts dating someone else and falls in love with them. She doesn't know what is a matter. Why doesn't anyone fall in love with her? When she lands the role of Juliet in the school play she becomes very good friends with Owen. She starts to have feeling for him. Is he the one for her? I loved watching Megan and Owens relationship build from just being friends to being in love. I wish the book didn't end and I was able to learn more about them!

Was this review helpful?

I just finished reading Romeo and Juliet with my freshman so reading this was a lovely treat! I loved the story of Megan and Owen as she finds her path and realizes that there may be more to a relationship than a quick hook up or broken heart. This story was well written with enjoyable characters and a diverse family. I loved the lines from the play that began each chapter. I will definitely recommend this to my students.

Was this review helpful?

Always Never Yours was such a fun, sweet, and flirty read. It didn't take me very long to get hooked on this story. Megan Harper has accepted the fact that she is the girl before. She's the girl that guys date right before finding their soulmate. Forever a Rosaline and never a Juliet. She's watched it happen time and time again. So, she's always in and out of relationships, knowing that they are going to end sooner rather than later. But when she's cast as Juliet in her school's theater production of Romeo and Juliet, she finds herself wondering why shouldn't she get the chance to be center stage for once in her life and relationships, rather than just waiting behind the curtains.

I loved the Shakespeare and theater elements of this story. Megan's true passion is directing, but she's forced to step in the spotlight and act to meet the requirements for the college she wants to apply to. The book is filled with Shakespeare quotes, references, and all sorts of fun theater drama. Throughout the book, we get to watch Megan as she goes from the infamous flirt to someone who realizes she's worth more than just a string of flings with guys who ultimately don't really care about her. Megan's character is bold and goes after what she wants, but you also get to see the more vulnerable side of her when it comes to where she fits in with her rapidly changing family dynamic and with the friends and relationships she has.

Of course, I have to mention how much I loved Owen. Watching his and Megan's friendship grow and build was so sweet, enjoyable, and real. The humor and wit in their banter was so much fun and I found myself laughing out loud at parts. Owen was just so likeable. We even got to watch his character grow from this shy, blushing boy who constantly has ink stains from working on his plays in his notebook, to a more confident and solid friend. I loved how he stuck up for Megan and how he was there for her during the difficult times. It was a great show of friendship.

Overall, this was a fun read that I would definitely recommend, especially if you love theater or Shakespeare. I enjoyed that while the story line was a bit predictable in places, the story still felt fresh and new because of the theater aspects and the parallels between Megan's real life with the story of Romeo and Juliet. I will definitely be reading anything else that Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka write together.

Was this review helpful?

Always Never Yours is the story of Megan Harper, an aspiring theater director who, when trying to get an acting credit to complete the qualifications for the school she wants to attend, is cast as Juliet in her school’s production of Romeo & Juliet. Because she wanted a small, two-line part (she’s more of a backstage gal), it puts her in a bit of a tailspin, especially since she will be starring opposite her most recent ex, who happens to be her best friend’s boyfriend, Tyler. (She stresses no hard feelings, but it still affects her.)

A large part of the story is exploring the fact that Megan is a flirt who hops from boyfriend to boyfriend and is usually the girl a guy dates before they find their “true love”, the better-suited partner. She meets Owen Okita, a boy who will also be doing his first acting gig as Friar Lawrence, and they spark an instant friendship. She expresses her dilemma, and they agree that she is a sort of “Rosaline” in real life (a.k.a. The gal who broke Romeo’s heart but was quickly forgotten when Juliet rolled into the scene). He wants to write a play about Rosaline, so Megan volunteers to share her feelings to help aid the story.

Always Never Yours is a standard YA contemporary romance. You will root for Megan, you’ll root for Owen, and you’ll love reading the will they/won’t they. I just felt that something was missing. The premise had a lot of promise to explore Megan’s past in short bursts, showing how each person found their next love, instead of just constantly telling us that that is what happened. A lot of this has to do with how Megan sees herself in these romantic relationships but still, it would’ve been nice to learn a bit more about why she felt this was her “curse” of sorts. Did she do something to contribute? Did these boys find their new loves right away?

I also feel that the familial subplot would’ve held more balance if the focus on Anthony’s subplot was condensed or removed completely. To me, the family subplot is a stronger storyline than the one featuring her friend Anthony, and still would’ve helped to shed light on the way Megan sees herself in romantic relationships.

Aside from these observations, I think that Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka (who are engaged IRL, so cute!) had a solid debut and have the potential to create stronger work in the future. The humor and swoony love is all there, and will really shine once the writing is tightened.

Was this review helpful?

Always Never Yours centers around Megan's belief that whoever she dates will find the "perfect" partner after they break up. I really this liked book and how Megan grows during the course of the novel. Megan is still dealing with her feelings regarding her parent's divorce, which leads her to question the idea of "true love". This books covers familial relationships as well as friendships. The book revolves around a production of Romeo and Juliet and if you love, Shakespeare, you will love the chapter quotes.

Was this review helpful?

See note to publisher: We already have received print copies so those new titles are reviewed by student patrons. I am not needed in those situations. Thanks, though, for the potential opportunity.

Was this review helpful?

A sweet YA rom-com written by an IRL couple. Influences of Shakespeare unexpected, as is the relatable exploration of high school dramas like first love, college fears and figuring out how your teenaged passions will fit into your adult life.

Was this review helpful?

If you’re looking for a book that will make you happy, this is certainly the one for you. This is a fluffy romance that was filled with theatre and it was really cute. If you love Shakespeare then this is the book for you, because there are a ton of references here!

Our story is about Megan. She is known as the class flirt at her high school. She is constantly jumping from one relationship to the next. It's hard to not to judge her for it, but all her relationships end the same.

Now while I wasn't the biggest fan of Megan, I loved how realistic and honest her story was. This really took me back to feelings I had in high school and it felt true to those. I feel like you need to put yourself in your teenage shoes while reading this one. It will make the story feel more real. 

The relationship between her and Owen was really sweet. The chemistry between them was great and I loved the banter between them. I swooned while reading this one. 

I gave it only 3 stars because I found it to be full of romance tropes and a tad predictable.

Now while it's not my favorite YA read, I still recommend it for a good summer read!

Was this review helpful?