I liked the premise of this book (moving back through time, 24 seconds, 24 minutes, 24 days, 24 weeks, 24 months, etc.) and thought the characters were very cool and well-developed.

However, I wasn't entirely sold on the writing. While I don't need the dialogue to be super trendy or witty like a John Green book, it just a little flat for me. I felt like all the words were just laying there static on the page instead of fully coming to life inside my mind. (Maybe that's just a me thing?)

The book also felt a little underdeveloped, (Cause you can only go back by 24 so far before these kids are fetuses). I felt like all the loose ends get tided together and the plot becomes cohesive, but again, it didn't fully grip me. I think I also wanted a bit more scenes with the crew of friends.

Anyway, certainly not a bad book. Just an unbaked one from my personal perspective. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

I got through about half of this book but had to come to terms with the fact that it unfortunately wasn’t for me. I love Jason Reynolds’ writing but with some of his full length books, I find that there is too much narration and not enough plot to keep my interest. The rawness of some of the scenes also made me uncomfortable and at times, even disturbed.

I really liked that Reynolds told this story in reverse order! Having never read a book this way, I had fun connecting everything together. This book was okay for me. I did struggle keeping myself interested in the story. I'm not sure what it was, but I just wasn't completely captivated by it. I liked Neon's character and I can see teens relating with him. Aria was a great character and I liked what Reynolds did with the dynamics of her family. I thought Neon and Aria's relationship was cute! The side characters were entertaining and well-flushed out. I thought Reynolds did a fantastic job creating realistic high school characters. I liked that not each character was following the same path out of high school. Overall, I wish I felt more invested in the story. For some reason, I just couldn't fully get into this one. Thank you to NetGalley and Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books for the ARC.

Jason Reynolds' newest title is another instant classic. Reynolds has an uncanny ability to inhabit the mind and heart of characters of all ages that readers of all ages can instantly relate to. This new title captures the rush and anticipation in young love without being precious or overblown about it.

I liked this book. Jason Reynolds is always up for tackling the hard topics and doing so incredibly well. I liked how this book was a backwards timeline. It added interest and depth to the story and really helped you fall in love with the characters. This is not an easy topic for a lot of adults let alone teens but I think this is the kind of book that is necessary because you know they are doing it anyway and they may as well be informed and safe when they do.

Thank you to the publisher and author for providing an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book fills a hole in YA life experiences from the male perspective and you couldn't have gotten a better author to tackle it. The main characters were so loveable. I sat down and finished this book in one day. I cannot wait to get the finished copy for our library.

It’s about time someone wrote a candid book about sexual maturity from the young male perspective. Reynolds handles this topic with realism, respect and humor. I appreciate the openness between son and parents. Although what may happen twenty four seconds from now is a more mature topic, the two characters meet early in high school and I think this book holds much value in providing a safe space for younger curious minds. Boundaries, respect, and sensitivity are discussed beautifully. Bravo!

Pure FREAKING genius.

Jason Reynolds is the GOAT. Has been for a while, will remain so for life especially when he continues to drop stories like this.

I have talked extensively about my love for YA literature that features sex in realistic conversation and context. Reynolds' new one opens up with Neon in the bathroom psyching himself up for first-time sex with his girlfriend of two years, Aria. And then the rest of the story goes BACKWARD in time from this point in their senior year.

When I share this book, I may or may not share this information as it's both the reason it's so genius and I'd want everyone to discover it for themselves but it's also the selling point for it too. Neon's voice is that introspective and fun peek inside a teen's brain while the rest of the characters are just as three-dimensional as Neon.

The quirkiness of the elements like what the Wednesday family business does or how Neon's mom approaches a conversation about sex or the inclusion of BINGO are the layers of this amazing YA novel. But the intelligence lies in how it's laid out. It's what captivated me in this story and another favorite (adult graphic novel) [book:Always Never|58166774].

The trajectory (not the subject matter) of this book really harkens back to Reynolds’s ‘A Long Way Down,’ but with less gut-wrenching drama. I’m not sure that I prefer this one, though, as the narrator’s style of thinking - or Reynolds’s style of writing his thinking - isn’t as charming this time around. Still, he’s one of the best in the business for a reason, and even this slightly lesser outing is better than the best day for many others.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atheneum Publishing for sending me this arc!

Jason Reynolds’s has such a way with words. The way he connects stories and relationships in such a short period of time is truly admirable. This book did everything I could have hoped for from a book, and this was very impressive.

Obviously, being a 22 y.o. Reading about youths doing the devils tango is UNCOMFY, because I was worried we were going to have to READ THRU THE EVENT and I was not about to do that. I really liked how Ma and Neon’s dad talked to Neon about his relationship with Aria. I think that the relationships were strong and I just was transported back to Highschool. You are trying to figure everything out, and Reynolds’s encapsulates that energy beautifully.

The long way down is still my favorite book of his and one of my top 10 of 2024, but this is easily a top 3 Jason Reynolds’s book!

I look forward to reading more of his work!

From Instagram: 💫Book Review Post💫 Thank you @netgalley for this digital ARC🫶🏽

📚Title: Twenty-Four Seconds from Now…A Love Story
📌Author: Jason Reynolds
📅Pub date: 10/08/2024

🎓Thoughts: I’m way early on this one because the way I ran to @netgalley when I heard this author had a new book coming out!!!

This author has a way of telling stories that are relevant and appealing to the young, and the young at heart in a way that is special and demotic. This story is a love story that is more than one about Neon & Aria deciding to experience the first time…yes doing that thing…. But a love story about friendship, family, and high school and how those things shape our lives and decisions.
The story is told from the now and takes you back to the day they met and times in between with 24 being the coming denominator.

This story was such a jubilant and satisfying read. I highly recommend this for the early high schoolers BEFORE they are thinking about taking that first step🤞🏽 and for adults like me who love a good YA that we use the excuse “a palate cleanser” to read, but we really just love reading books we didn’t have as kids. There’s so many things in this book that are so funny but true. He has created the most amazing and lovable characters, and we won’t even start on Denzel Jeremy Washington (you have to say it like that🤣) This author is basically a genius👌🏽

#24secondsfromnow #jasonreynolds #diversespines #yaauthor #firstlove #netgalley #bookreview #bookstagram

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed and lovable. The pacing was perfect and left you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read more by this author!

Jason Reynolds does it AGAIN and I am honestly not surprised because his books are absolutely home runs always. I think this will be a very popular book at my library once it's published.

A lot of YA books surrounding "first loves" or "first times" can be overly dramatic or show very unhealthy relationships. This was so heartwarming. We get to see their relationship develop, as it jumps backwards in time from the moment they're about to lose their virginity together. Not only is this young love secure enough to talk to each other about their nervousness, we see a young man who is able to openly talk to his parents (the scene with his mother at the diner is one of the best moments in the book) and sister as well. The only flaw is the story is a little short, with certain aspects I wished had been spoken about more. The focus is definitely on Neon, which is fine, but I wish certain characters had been fleshed out more (specifically Aria. since this is the story of their first time).

Healthy black teenagers in healthy relationships. This book is about real kids, kids who are virgins, and kids who are lying about their sexuality. Jason Reynold writes about a romance, about two kids who are about to go all the way, as a framework for essential conversations. I loved the conversations that Neon has with his mother. She did a great job talking to him about his feelings and also explaining that his girlfriend has feelings and needs as well. . This book was beautifully written and I would recommend it to high school kids.

The non-linear progression of time and the quirky character details when matched with the realistic and humorous dialogue made this an impressive, easy-to-read book that covered some heavy topics: relationships, sex, love, and family are only some of them. The main character is likeable, and his family approachable. Seeing Neon navigate his relationship with his high school sweetheart, the death of his grandfather, the influence of his peer group AND still maintain focus on preparing for his first sexual experience offered a rich, multi-layered young adult story.

Jason never disappoints and Twenty-Four Seconds from Now truly displays his writing genius! This book was so honest and written in a style I’ve never experienced. It’s definitely an enjoyable way to do flashbacks. This book reminded me of what it meant to have a young love and the nervousness of taking things to the next level.

I love Jason Reynolds and I liked the format of this book a lot. This is definitely YA, so I will not be purchasing for my middle school. I can see this appealing to high school readers.

Jason Reynolds 👏🏻

So dang good!

Jason is known for writing books that are powerful and begging for conversation. In his first foray into a love story he went above and beyond what I was expecting and I’m looking forward to any age getting their hands on this book once it’s released.

The way he crafted this love story but in reverse left me eager to know the backstory of Neon and the moments leading up to the opening pages of him in a bathroom seconds away from a life changing moment with his girlfriend…Oh you are just going to have to read it because it was truly amazing.

I often get messages asking about books for young men and this one is going to be my new go to recommendation. Jason writes being young and in love in the most wholesome way.

Thank you Simon Kids
Releases 10/8

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Jason Reynolds does not disappoint! As a mother of a teen, I will definitely have my teen read this book. I appreciate the male perspective at a time when hormones and wants are all over the place. I appreciate the dynamic of brother and sister as well as mother and son. What a great novel for our youth!