4.5 stars. A fantastic coming-of age romance novel that does a great job with all the emotions of planning and preparing for a young couple's first time. I loved that this is written from a 17 year old boy's perspective about his first serious relationship, but also focuses on the different relationships that he has with his friends, sister, parents, and grandmother.

In Twenty-Four Seconds from Now... Neon and his girlfriend Aria are planning on having sex for the first time. The problem? Neon is just a bit... nervous. What follows is a series of flashbacks that led up to this points. Snippets of conversations with friends, with family, with total strangers, all dealing with relationships, and love, and sex.

Jason Reynolds is just a phenomenal writer. He sucks you right in with the stories and writes characters so well that you can find that connection quick. Neon is a sensitive soul that cries when others do, who listens to what others need, and who isn't afraid of dogs... he just doesn't get along with them. His deep connection with his family allows for open conversation and you learn about SO many different elements of relationships and love through several generations and from a variety of perspectives. He has open minded, realistic thinking parents who are able to admit where they have made mistakes and give advice without being overbearing. I love hearing from his Mom and his sister about consent and a woman's needs - advice I think the intended audience of this book could really use. I think it's great that Neon and Aria's core friend group has all the stereotypes laid out so you understand that there is more than one way to be when it comes to thinking about sex. Honestly, I just think that this book covers so many sex/relationship topics, some that I wasn't even expecting, in such a seamless, flowing way. All in just over 100 pages.

SO well done, as always.

All hail Jason Reynolds, reigning YA King.
Is Neon going to throw up or pull it together and lose his virginity? What is going on and how did we get here?
Over the course of the novel we work backwards in time - 24 seconds ago, 24 minutes before, and eventually 24 months before - to see all the life that preceded Neon’s choice to have sex for the first time with his girlfriend Aria. We meet those closest to Neon, his family, his friends, Aria and Denzel Jeremy Washington (a scene stealing dog).

This book is such a necessary addition to the young adult cannon. Neon is a character that's going to be instantly relatable to young people, especially young men, and to be able to go on the years-long journey leading up to (potentially) losing his virginity is an important story for young adults to have access to.Throughout the book Neon gets “the talk” from different people and the lessons learned help him prepare and make thoughtful decisions alongside Aria.

This book is the exact reason why books should not be banned!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with Twenty-four Seconds from Now….
You make my YA dreams come true!

"Twenty-Four Seconds from Now" offers a refreshing and heartfelt exploration of male sexuality, focusing on themes of respect, love, and tenderness, which are often missing from typical narratives. The rewind structure, taking readers from the pivotal moment back through various stages of Neon and Aria’s relationship, is engaging and effective. It allows us to see the development of their bond, emphasizing the emotional depth behind their physical connection.

The character of Neon is well-written, showing vulnerability and thoughtfulness, particularly as he seeks guidance from his sister instead of just relying on peer pressure or societal expectations. This approach to sex is wholesome and focuses on the importance of emotional intimacy rather than just the physical act.

However, depending on the reader, the constant rewinding could feel repetitive, potentially disrupting the flow of the narrative. But overall, this structure adds to the depth of Neon's journey and helps provide crucial context to his feelings and growth.

The book’s strength lies in its message: that first sexual experiences, especially from a male perspective, should be grounded in respect and love. It's a timely and important narrative that shifts away from harmful stereotypes. This story would be a great fit for readers who appreciate coming-of-age tales that focus on the emotional aspects of relationships and first experiences.

As this novel opens, Neon is in his girlfriend's bathroom contemplating losing his virginity with his longtime girlfriend Aria in 24 seconds. That's quite a hook to get us into the story of Neon and Aria's relationship. Working backward--24 minutes, 24 hours, 24 days, 24 weeks, etc. the reader gets inside Neon's head and the thoughts and feelings of this endearing young man leading up to this moment. The portrait of his relationships with family and friends is well-rounded and believable, and we'd like to know what happens in the next 24 days and months.

A wonderful book dealing with something we all experience. I loved that it was told from a male character’s perspective as I can’t recall another YA book that has done this. Jason Reynolds’s, you have done it again!

I was not the target audience for this, but it is so well written. Reynolds is great at characterization and this is no exception.

This was an interesting read. I’d definitely recommend to everyone. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this arc.

Nobody writes like Jason Reynolds. He creates realistic, compelling characters with issues that teens actually care about. Like teenage hormones, relationships, and changes on the horizon as college looms in the future. I loved the way Jason Reynolds used a bit of a zoom out effect, telling a story, then backing up to the day before, then the week before, then the month, and finally year before. It told the story in reverse, but made the present moment even more special. It was a modern day true love story that mimics his grandparents' true love story. Even his sister, who seems to go from guy to guy has her own true love story waiting in the wings. Every love story is unique in this book, and teens will love this.

I love Jason Reynolds' writing! I will continue to read what he puts out! This was a great story and perfect for high school students if you are an English teacher.

This was a really unique take on a novel format where each chapter goes a little further back in time, all of it leading to the "now" moment at the very end. We meet a lot of characters and learn from most of them as we go and it's a very fast-paced read. I was expecting a faster one because I thought it was a novel in verse, but I'm not mad about it. It's a great story that teens should definitely pick up.

Full disclosure, I have met Jason Reynolds and like him both as a writer and a person. This tender young adult romance, with loving parents who know just what to say and when, is well written, with great characters and just what I would have wanted to read as a teen. The number twenty-four runs through the storyline starting with twenty-four seconds before, then minutes before, then hours, days…you get it, with the final chapter returning to the present. Clever. Neon and Aria are having their first time together after waiting two years and knowing they are both ready, and through the timing device the reader learns of and experiences their love story. (Soap box time…) While never explicit, never vulgar, or with no real violence, Twenty-four Seconds from Now… is sure to hit the faux Christian banned books lists because it is by a Black author, about Black teens, and is about their love and their first time. I wish every teen would read this to see a healthy family model and a healthy teen relationship, so, please, get this one for your kids - but read it for yourself too.

Listen, I love Jason Reynolds. I'll read whatever he writes (even if it's a carbon copy of the phone book) and enjoy it. I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this novel. Did I love it? No. However, I also realized very early on that this book was not written for me.

In my opinion, this story isn't really one of those generation-spanning tales that appeal to both adults and teens. This one is for teens. As an adult, I felt like an outsider looking into a conversation I did not want to be a part of. Do I think this book is important and absolutely should be available for teens? Yes. I'm totally fine with teens getting the talk from Jason Reynolds. In fact, many of them need it because maybe they don't have other adults they feel comfortable asking. There were so many depictions of really healthy conversations about sex and how to treat your partner. Teens need to see this stuff.

As far as teens reading this for choice reading? Ehhhh. I'm torn. This feels like a read-this-at-home novel to me. Do I want to think about them reading it in my classroom? No. Would I recommend they read it in their own time? Yes.

So, there you have it. The novel was just fine reading it as an adult, but honestly it gave me the ick a bit. I know teens have sex. I understand that. I do not want to read about it with any details whatsoever. I'm very glad this book exists, but in the classroom? Ehhh. You'll have to make that decision for your own students. Grades 9 and up.

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC! I love just about anything Jason Reynolds, as do my students. This one didn’t disappoint. The love story of Aria and Neon is told in reverse, and I loved that twist on the tale as you have to work backwards and kind of piece some things together. I also enjoyed that this book was told from Neon’s point of view, which is rare. It’s a story of sweet, young love, complicated family relationships, full and interesting characters, and love and respect in teens. While it dos cover the subject of teen sexuality, it’s done very well and with some humor. I was worried how it would be handled as I have teenagers and work with teenagers in my teaching job and didn’t want to feel uncomfortable reading it, but I was impressed. It seemed and read “very real” and showed respect and affection and two kids just feeling like they were ready for “the next step.” I would just recommend this book for slightly older YA readers. Overall, it was a really enjoyable read I couldn’t put down, and I was excited to see where it would go back in time as I got to the next section. If you’re a Reynolds fan, this one won’t disappoint. FYI profanity, teen sexuality topics, family struggles

5 stars

Jason Reynolds has done it again.

Readers can always expect great, developed characters, well-paced action, and a creative structure in Reynolds's books, and this newest novel is no exception. This one features Neon and Aria, and throughout the novel, readers dig into their relationship, including a number of pivotal moments (as well as some painfully embarrassing ones that are certain to make more experienced readers crack up).

I really enjoy Reynolds's depiction of the romantic relationship between these characters. It feels authentic and age appropriate, and it'll also be useful and instructional for contemporary readers. The relationship is healthy; there is good communication, a lot of uncertainty, and a fair amount of mutual stumbling.

The structure makes this read even more unique and speeds up the pacing. Whether we're 24 seconds, days, weeks, or months out from a specific event or memory, readers get the opportunity to chart important moments in the characters' lives and relationship.

I can't get enough of Jason Reynolds, and my students always agree. I can't wait to share this one with future groups.

24 Seconds From Now was a nicely done coming of age romance that highlighted losing your virginity in a very tasteful way. Neon and Aria were such a cute couple. I enjoyed that the story was told from the perspective of a young boy, not how it usually is from the girl’s perspective. His conversation with his mom was too funny and very realistic. I love how considerate he was toward Aria. I would recommend my students read this book.

This is a really cute coming of age story. It introduces us to Neon and his girlfriend, Aria. After dating for two years, they are ready to take their relationship to a deeper level. Neon is so nervous. He can’t get out of his own head enough to enjoy the moment. While he’s freaking out in the bathroom, he starts to relive the path that got him to that moment with Aria. In a clever twist, he presents their courtship in reversed order. He tells us about their love story twenty-four minutes ago, twenty-four days ago, twenty-four weeks ago, and twenty-four months ago.

Through Neon’s recollection of those timeframes, he introduces us to his circle of family and friends. His parents and older sister are loving and supportive. His friend group is eclectic and diverse. They managed to fit together perfectly. Aria’s home life isn’t as harmonious, but it is unique. It’s so much fun to see the evolution of the relationship between Aria and Neon. He’s able to compare it to his grandparents relationship which proves to be enlightening. Their story is funny and entertaining. I couldn’t help but to root for them.

Jason Reynolds is such an amazing storyteller. I love his unconventional way of presenting a timeline. This was a solid four star read for me. Thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and Jason Reynolds for this advanced copy for me to review. #TwentyFourSecondsFromNow #NetGalley

This is a raw story of an intimate moment of when a young boy and girl want to take the next step in their relationship.
The unique style of writing of working back 24 secs, 24 hours, 24 days, etc It makes it an interesting read and allows us to see how Aria and Neon started a relationship and led to them wanting to make it more intimate and special.

The thoughts and feelings of a young man moving to this next step. I’m sure many young men have similar thoughts.

Once again Jason Reynolds wrote an awesome book that teens can relate to. I loved the concept too. It was very different going backward with the story instead of forward. It made it so different to follow but it was a nice change to read the story. I loved reading about a positive look at having teen sex. I really liked having a positive POV from the male teen on friends, sex, high school, and beyond.

A must-have for all libraries!


Possible Spoiler Alerts
I loved how Neon's parents talked to him about having sex. Neon needed to use protection. He needed to treat Aria, his girlfriend as a person, not just a body. He needed to think of her needs too, not just his pleasure, and so on.


@jasonreynolds83 #jasonreynolds83 #TwentyFourSecondsFromNow... #SchoolLibrarians #SchoolLibrary #PublicLibrarians #PublicLibrary #YALit
#Netgalley #ReadBooks #Read #ReadJasonReynoldsBooks

Twenty-four months ago: Neon gets chased by a dog at his grandfather’s funeral. He’d love to forget that moment, but not the dog’s owner, Aria…

Twenty-four weeks ago: Neon’s dad talks to him about tenderness and intimacy. Neon and Aria definitely love each other, and are talking about taking the next big step.

Twenty-four days ago: Neon’s mom finds her bra in his room. The hooks are complicated! He figured he’d need to practice, especially since the special day is only a month away.

Twenty-four minutes ago: Neon leaves his shift at his dad’s bingo hall, chicken tenders for Aria in a bag. They’re not caviar, but they’re her favorite.

Right this second? Neon is locked in Aria’s bathroom, mid panic attack because twenty-four seconds from now, he and Aria are about to… well… they won’t do anything if Neon can’t get out of his head!

Oh my goodness, I really enjoyed this novel. A book from the guy’s perspective about doing “it” for the first time. But also, this is about healthy Black teens, in a healthy relationship, talking about and discussing sex in a healthy and positive manner with members of their family and friends - though of course there are some friends who may over exaggerate what it is they’ve actually done.

Every conversation Neon had with members of his family, though he may have been hesitant to voice his anxiety and fears, his family was always very supportive and honest with him. His sister corrects misconceptions and emphasizes communication. His mom talks about allowing himself feelings and for checking Aria’s as well (in such a funny way). And his dad talks about his relationship with his mom and how he’s made mistakes, some from advice from bad role models, and how he wants better for Neon.

Overall, this novel is a sweet story about young love and first times, filled with awkwardness, reassurance, and anxiety. I can definitely see this becoming one of those staple coming-of-age novels like Judy Blume’s Forever.

*Thank you Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review