The premise was interesting and I am actually upset by how much Tanner loved Shelby and how unreciprocated that was for their entire high school experience. I wasn't super obsessed with the way the story is written — ie. the letter format — but this definitely wouldn't work any other kind of way, really. Also, the cover feels too "wattpad-y" for the suicidal ideation/depression that this book attempts to tackle.

After fraudulent use of my Amazon account, it had to be closed and with it my kindle email which I used to download Netgalley arcs; therefore, I am unable to access this title. Thank you for the opportunity.

The Now or Never Moment: Omnibus includes the four original novellas in one convenient edition. Shelby and Tanner have been best friends ever since freshman year, when she intervened with a bullying situation on his behalf. It is now four years later and Shelby is on the cusp of leaving for college, without her best friend in tow. Handing her an envelope with strict instructions to open it when she is on her own, Shelby has no way of knowing that Tanner is about to change her life in a big way.

The biggest issue that I have with The Now or Never Moment is that the author uses the letter to spoon feed the story to the readers, instead of allowing it to unfold naturally. As Shelby reads the letter to her new college friends, she interjects constantly with her recollection of events. With Shelby spinning the narrative, the reader is given two versions of the same story. The book is a bit repetitive because of this and the plot does not flow.

With important issues like bullying, depression, and thoughts of suicide, I was hoping that the author would leave readers in the target audience with a good message. In my opinion, however, the book never truly addresses those important issues and focuses too much on the unrequited love. For these reasons, I would be hesitant to recommend The Now or Never Moment to others.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Now or Never Moment by NetGalley and the publisher. The choice to review this book was entirely my own.

I loved the letter format ! This story was very sweet. A classic YA/NA contemporary. Completely recommend!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, while the blurb really interested me, I have been unable to get into the book.

This was a fun read!! I loved the characters and the plot was a lot of fun too!! I thought the writing was easy to read and I will be recommending this to my friends!

What a crazy, wild book! The idea that someone just drops a surprise on you and disappears... great hook!

First off, thank you for letting me read this book and I hope to read many more from this publisher.

I thought this book was cutesy to the max. I'm very happy it was all of the series in one big bind-up. I flew through this in just a few days and I can't wait to read more by this author. I'm also hoping to possibly connect with her and review more of her books before publication, if possible.

This didn't do it for me. I'm a hard sell when it comes to contemporary, and this did not make use of the chance I gave. I found it predictable and kind of dull. I'll be looking elsewhere for a winner in this genre.

I never realize that this book is a series, I supposed but never mind on that because the story does intrigue me and bring me to discover the life of this young teenager. Looking at how Tanner and Shelby have to deal with the things happened in their life and around them. This book is cover with mental illness, bullying which is honestly hard to go through to read this book because I was like does want to shout to the one who bullied. However, Tanner good soul mended my heart in some way. Overall, I don't feel like I should use the word 'enjoy' because I felt so wrong to say that but it was a great story to read and it is worth.

Rating: 4 stars

Good day! Before anything else, I would like to extend my deepest, sincerest gratitude for sending me a digital review copy of this book (via NetGalley). Thank you very much for the opportunity!

Unfortunately, I am sad to say that I have lost interest in this particular title, and consequently, I have decided against finishing it. Forcing myself to finish a book I am disinterested in (solely for the sake of finishing it) can only negatively impact the entirety of my reading experience, which, in turn, could result in me writing an unfairly negative review. That is a circumstance I hope to avoid. With that said, I believe that the best course of action is for me to simply not read it and to refrain from publicly posting any feedback regarding this book.

I hope you understand where I'm coming from. Again, thank you for the lovely opportunity!

This book didn't suit my reading taste and sadly I couldn't get into the story. Therefore I did not finish this book.

This book was adorable and a super quick read. I can't wait to recommend it to my friends who really appreciate the type of story line this author followed.

Apparently, this book is four previously published books combined into one. So if you've read the other Now or Never Moment books, I can't tell you if there is anything new in this one because I've not read those.

What I can tell you is that this book is BRUTAL at times. Tanner is subjected to some horrific bullying, both at school and at home. Those scenes are nearly soul-crushing to read, particularly because you feel like this stuff happens to kids every day. It made me, as a teacher, realize that I need to be more aware of my students' possible suffering.

I can also tell you that I really, really liked this story. Shelby's cluelessness as to how Tanner felt about her seemed, at times, a little unbelievable, but, as Katie Kaleski makes clear, you see what you want to see. Shelby didn't have romantic feelings for Tanner, so she convinced herself that he didn't have any for her, either, even when he makes it abundantly clear that he does.

This is largely an epistolary book, with Shelby reading a long letter that Tanner gives her as she leaves for college. He reflects back on their four years in high school together, telling her things he did not tell her then, including why he concealed them. He lays his heart bare, and I was equally as invested in Shelby's response as I was in Tanner's experiences.

Sometimes the plot drags and feels repetitive, and Tanner is quite frank about the sex he has. The latter could give parents of younger teen readers pause. I'm not talking Fifty Shades details, just more that he engages in sex and why. Then again, he is a teenage boy searching (desperately) to connect to someone, so when a girl comes along and makes an offer, well. He is only so strong.

There are a couple of scenes that feel like they're a little too much, mostly because they seem so manufactured and forced. They don't emerge organically from the rest of Kaleski's tale, which is disappointing. But Tanner, a sweet, kind boy who just wants to love and be loved, will capture your heart and not let it go. He's a good guy, and you find yourself desperate for Shelby to realize that.

Talk about a gut-wrenching book. Omnibus was difficult to read in a heartbreakingly realistic way, yet also sweet and honest. The book follows friends Tanner and Shelby throughout their high school years, and all of their personal struggles in between. Tanner loves Shelby, but Shelby has always viewed Tanner as a brother...until she reads his letters (aka the book) reliving their times together, as well as the darkest and hardest times Tanner went through. There were times I couldn't put the book down, and times I had to step away and reflect on my own life and how I relate to certain aspects. Overall, a beautiful read.

This book was a lot of thing. First, let me explain that the author originally published four parts of this book - freshman year, sophomore, junior and senior - and now this book is the complete collection of all four. Which is why it is a really big book and seemed to be dragged into eternity to me, sometimes. Also, the hero didn't seem that guy-ish. Of course, there's vulnerable, but well... He was always portrayed as a victim, someone who let things happen to him. I was really angry over all these attacks toward him, believe him. Bullying is a serious topic and I am the last one who'll judge. This is something people should talk more about - keyword Hastag Stop Bullying. Because it seriously has to stop. But... With Tanner there was too much drama, too many things going on at once or too many things that led to others.

I usually dislike reading novels written in third person. And this one, unfortunately, was no exception. Tanner's point of views were written in first person - as a letter. But Shelby's point of view (was there really a view for her?) was written in third person and I always found myself wanting to skip these parts, because the writing style itself was so different at those scenes. And what I mean by saying that thing about doubting that Shelby really had her own point of view is because, well... We don't really get to know her. We know she's at college now and starts reading this HUGE letter by Tanner (no way it fit into an envelope. And also, even e-Mails got a character limit) and that's basically it. She met her roommate, people started gathering around her, listening to the letter she's read to them. Oh my, I really disliked all that. There's no real depth for her here.

I'm so sorry about all these negative aspects. I really am. I wanted to like this book, but I just didn't. Not really. The length is what bothered me the most, probably. Well, and Tanner's drama, because drama is good, but that was just over the top.

Anyway... The idea of writing a book mostly as a letter was nice. I thought that was great. And the letter itself started off really promising, too. So maybe I should have read this novel when it was still split into four parts. I bet I would have liked the first part of it, had it been a standalone.

There's really not much for me to add. I can't tell you to read it or not. You got to read the blurb, maybe even an excerpt and decide for yourself. It just wasn't my book, even though I love YA, but all these things mentioned above.

Shelby hadn’t talked to her best friend- Tanner- in three days- not a phone call or even a text and this left Shelby perplexed as she was leaving for college the next day. The last time she had seen Tanner he had handed her a thick manilla envelope. Tanner told her not to open it until she was all settled in college. Shelby’s roommate at college was Bonita/ Bonnie. She let Shelby know most of her extra time she would be with her girlfriend Elka. bonnie talked Shelby into opening the envelope and to read it out loud, before Shelby knew it she was reading out loud tanners words to Bonnie, her girlfriend and half the floor of her dorm. First Tanner said he was writing the story of him and her. He went on to say he loved her and always would. Even though she never loved him back in the same way. Tanner met the first day of HS their freshman year. Tanner went out of his way to get Shelby to talk to him. Eventually they became true friends. She learned hie didn’t do well in Math and offered to tutor him. Tanner was very happy to spend more time with Shelby. He already liked her more than a friend. While reading Tanner’s words Shelby had strange feelings but she pushed them aside. As she had at times when she and tanner had been together. No matter who Tanner was seeing as time went on Shelby had Tanner’s heart.
I had mixed feelings about this omnibus/book.I am glad i read this and all at one time. This took you an emotional roller coaster ride and covered some very tough subjects: suicidal thoughts, depression, and horrific bullying. I thought the author did a good job of showing this. My heart broke that Tanner loved Shelby so much and she didn’t love him back that way but also all that he went through with only Shelby there as his rock. I hated his parents weren’t there to help him anyway and as far as I am concerned they were very emotionally abusive. I was however glad tanner at least had Shelby in his life as he really had no one else. I hated Hugo and his friends as we were suppose to. Also the adults wouldn’t listen Tanner when he did try to go to him and so many visits to the nurse yet no one saw the bullying HOW? This was not an easy read and I did have mixed feelings but am gladIi read it.

I DNFed this book. I was really excited to read it. It was written in third person which surprised me at first and it was confusing as a few characters were introduced at once but then it improved. I liked the writing and the characters but not the premise. The main character goes to college and her best friend has written her a long letter discussing their friendship over the years and declaring his love for her. The main character keeps saying that they are just friends but it is obvious that she is in love with him too. I just felt that the whole concept could have been condensed and put into one chapter at the end of the story.

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.