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.


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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

This book is an important addition to the collection of coming of age stories as they relate to sex and relationships specifically. The short format and realistic dialog make it an easy read for teens. The natural way that issues of consent, thoughtful partnership, and respect are integrated was very well done. The modeling of family and friend roles in helping a young person navigate this milestone were touching to see and hopefully something that will replicate or provide the experience for readers who need it.

There were parts that felt out of joint and made it hard to follow the ideas of the book. And I wanted a little more information about the actual experience between Neon and Aria, but overall this was a strong read.

A sweet and realistic slice-of-life story. Reynolds fills a gap in YA publishing with a thoughtful perspective of a boy in a healthy teenage relationship.

I love this because it's Jason Reynolds. I love this because I loved Neon. But I struggle with this only because I know I won't ever be able to put this in my library. This is like... Judy Blume's Forever except Black and from the male perspective. I love the story, and while I don't normally love a story that is told in reverse order, this one actually worked for me. But while on page sex next happens, the entire story is basically building up to it. There are a lot of sex-positive talks, especially from Neon's parents, and I loved that. I truly think this was a great, quick read. It just sucks because I know, based on my state's stupid laws, that I won't be able to put it on my shelves anytime soon

I love this book, and in my head I can hear the author, Jason Reynolds, reading it. Neon and Aria have decided to take their relationship to the next level, this is a step that is two years in the making and not a decision made lightly. The growth of their relationship is told in reverse order and told with characters and family who feel like they are real, even the traumatized little dog, who traumatized others has a part to play. I love how every member of the family communicates their own feelings to Neon and he listens to them. If you speak honestly and with love, others hear you.
I am in a state that will probably challenge the story, but I will be purchasing it for my high school students. They need to read about building relationships and the decisions that go with that relationship. They need to see themselves in books about making those decisions and how family is important. FYI, there is no detailed sex in the story, but there are some discussions about sex, both of Neon’s parents give him good advice.

The unique telling of this story drew me in and kept me reading! It started now, and then slowly moved backward in time to tell how this moment came to be. I appreciated how that helped me to understand the characters and the events of the story. Jason Reynolds is a master at finding new and innovative ways to tell a story! I also appreciated the care he took with this topic - a young person’s first sexual experience was treated as a coming-of-age event rather than something that just happened. I think many teens and young adults will connect to this story and these characters.

Twenty-four seconds from now... is the story of high school senior, Neon, and this book is a love story told in reverse, starting with right now, in increments of twenty-four (24 hours, 24 days, etc.), and finally twenty-four months before that when he and Aria meet for the first time at his grandfather's funeral. Our story starts when Neon is in the bathroom very nervous, because he and Aria are getting ready to have sex for the first time. Also there's moments with his family and friends. This story is told from a male perspective, a love story about relationships, commitment, choices, sex and all the accompanying emotions. I recommend this anticipated release for teens who are 16 or older, and adults.

I am a fan of Jason Reynolds' work and even have appreciated the time I was able to see him speak to our community and students, so I was excited to receive this ARC of Twenty-Four Seconds from Now. This book will take students in a direction that they have not seen from Reynolds before. It focuses on the main character Neon, a teen boy who is about to take his relationship with his girlfriend Aria to the next level. Each chapter goes back in time from 24 seconds ago to 24 minutes ago, etc. The reader is introduced to Neon's family, friends, and life as time unfolds backwards through various events and conversations.

This is a charming and important book for teens, very positive and supportive in the topic and how it is handled, a wonderful story about family, friends, relationships, and more. Reynolds dives into deep questions in a way that teens can understand and relate to. That being said, as a purchase, it may be geared for an older audience depending on your school environment due to the topic, but it is an important book for all. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for this ARC!

All the stars for Jason Reynolds' newest book, Twenty-Four Seconds From Now . . . Readers can always count on Reynolds to explore important topics in thoughtful ways and create fully-human characters who challenge societal stereotypes. As usual, the text is written masterfully; his prose is a joy to read. The story begins right before a teenage couple's "first time" together, then moves backward through time to twenty-four seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months before. In contrast to the way many films or other media portray teens and/or sex for the first time, where the act is the primary focus and the characters are reduced to their urges, Reynolds has written a love story, a coming-of-age story, a story of family and friends, past and future. Reynolds doesn't shy away from the gravity of the topic; conversations with parents will make teen readers laugh and even cringe from secondhand embarrassment while reminding them about intimacy and safe choices. If you're an adult, Neon and his friends will remind you what it's like to be seventeen, and that teenagers, especially teen boys, are far more than their stereotypes. If you are a teenager, especially a teenage boy, you might just find yourself in these pages.

Neon and his girlfriend of two years are in the final stretch of senior year and want to consumate their relationship. As Neon struggles with his nervousness and anxiety about the situation, we are taken back by 24's to see how their relationship developed and began and get a glimpse into Neon's own story. This is another must read of Jason Reynolds. Readers will be able to connect with both Neon and Aria and understand the real life struggles they face with life in general and in their relationship.

This is a YA romance told in reverse from a couple’s second anniversary to the day they met. This book is much lighter and happier overall but the format reminds me of Out of Love by Hazel Hayes.

I don’t usually like romances told only from the perspective of the male partner but Neon was so sweet and respectful to his girlfriend and his friends and family. I was definitely rooting for him. The relationship he had with his sister was so precious.

I liked that Neon and Aria’s futures were kind of left unwritten because that is absolutely what life is like at 17.

If you don’t like YA novels where the characters contemplate or discuss sex, this is not the book for you. It is by no means graphic but I know a lot of people believe YA books should include no sexual encounters at all even though that is absolutely not true to life if I’m being blunt.

This book about relationships as told in the guy's perspective - the relationship between Neon and girlfriend and between Neon and his family. It is an honest look at young love and the progression of life and relationships leading up to that one special moment. It will give readers great insight and connect with many young people who read this book. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Childrens Publish/Atheneum Caitlyn Dlouhy Books for this e-ARC.

I loved this story. It's such a fresh take on love story between two teenagers that is very sweet and normal. We follow the journey of Neon's relationship with Aria and we start with Neon coaching him self in the mirrow 24 seconds because he's about to experience his first time with his girlfriend of two years Aria. Each chapter is 24 - 24 seconds, 24 minutes, 24 hours, 24 day, 24 weeks, and 24 months. We see different moments that bring them to that moment. I loved every second of this book. His conversations with his friends, family, and Aria were so honest and geniune. Even though all of these moments bring us back to his first time, you can see that this isn't just about some horny teenage boy who is ready to have sex with his girl. We see a boy who genuinely loves his girlfriend and feels happy with her and wants to make her happy. He wants to be around her and cares what she thinks. He's nervous for this moment and goes to his loved ones for advice and help. There was something so sincere about the whole journey for me. I also have been loving YA romances and loves stories that comes from a young boys perspective.

This was my introduction to Jason Reynold's and I really had a great time reading this.

Reynolds is a master of non-linear storytelling and Twenty-Four Seconds from Now is no exception. I loved Neon and Aria and the exploration of their relationship based around their first time but grounded in Neon's relationships in his family and with his friends. The underlying topic is definitely about sex, but the book is so much more than that and I look forward to recommending it to teen and adult readers. A big thank you to Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and NetGalley for the early access in exchange for my honest opinion. 4.5 stars

This was soooo cute! It really gives you insight on the thoughts of a teenage boy’s first time and how they can be nervous too. It sort of reminds me of the movie “The Wood”, except less comical during the actual pre-sex scene. The story did have a lot of funny moments though. I like that the author incorporated all of Neon’s family members who play a vital role in his everyday life and upbringing. He listened to them and valued their opinions. A lot of teenagers, boys and girls, need that support system when they start experiencing sex. They need to hear from their parents, grandparents, and older siblings that sex is normal, to be safe when you do explore, and treat your partner with respect. This was a book with a lot of teachable moments for teens.

Thank you Jason Reynolds and Simon & Schuster via NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It was truly enjoyable and relatable!

Twenty Four Seconds from Now is a sweet, honest, and relatable story about teenagers' lives, relationships, and firsts. In this book we meet Neon and Aria who have been dating for two years and are thinking about taking the next step. This book shows all of the different things running through Neon’s mind and shows how honest and respectful Neon and Aria are with each other throughout their relationship. In addition to the two main characters, there are a lot of funny, likable characters we meet throughout this book. I really enjoyed reading about the family dynamics for both Neon and Aria’s families. All of Neon’s family is open and honest with him in their own way.

Jason Reynolds is one of my favorite authors to share with my middle school students. The way Jason Reynolds writes is always poetic and unique. This book is no exception. The order and structure of this book really made for an interesting read. However, I do think the topics in this book are more for a high school audience. I think a lot of young adult readers could relate to different parts of this book throughout their high school years. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for an ARC of Twenty Four Seconds from Now in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out on October 8th, 2024.