Member Reviews

Sadly this book didn't live up to my expectations. I really enjoyed Five Feet Apart, and this one just didn't compare. I couldn't find myself invested in the story and almost didn't finish reading it.

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Thank you so much for allowing me to read and review your titles.
I do appreciate it and continue to review books that I get the chance to read.
Thanks again!

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Wow this book was so promising at first but the last third of it was just dreadful. What a disappointment. I have no words.

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Nope. Too cliche. I need a spark!

I think I get overly excited about new books and think I can read them all. That I'll love them all. That's not the case. I just can't get past the first chapter in so many of them.

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I received an advance ecopy of this title via NetGalley. Due to some technical issues, I had to wait for my library to get the physical copy in order to review. My eternal thanks to NetGalley, the authors, and the publishers for this opportunity.

Maybe one day I'll stop being amazed by this magic duo. But that day did not come at any point during the reading of this book.

At times, it is sad. At times, it is bright. Other times, it's a bit too perfect. And those same times, it's all I needed.
Many parts slice of life, mental health, romance, literary fiction, fantasy, and suspense all at once, All This Time grabbed me from the blurb and never let go. The blurb is only the beginning of the journey to come.

Maybe it's possible to see the twists coming. In fact, I'm sure it is. But I didn't want to see them. The writing simply sparkles off the page and I didn't want to leave the world the authors created for me just so I could be "right."

"No more sad stories."

But this is one.
Also it isn't.

Kyle was such an oddly likable narrator. Perhaps I'm an overly romantic sap, but it was so refreshing for a masculine lead to be openly romantic and emotional and head-over-heels in all he does.

And THE DESCRIPTIONS. That's the best part. Mikki Daughtry and Rachael Lippincott have this way with making words so much deeper and stronger and brighter.

Once again, like with Five Feet Apart, they craft a book that steals my heart and soul without my permission... and I don't even want them back. "Once upon a time, two incredible authors wrote another book together..."

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DNF. The sadness is real with this one. To be honest, it was just a bit too much for me to really want to dive into. I saw someone call this a “heartbreaking romance,” and would agree completely with that assessment. Not for me, but if the description calls to you, you’ll get exactly what’s expected.

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On the night of their graduation party, Kyle and Kimberly get into a fight about going to different colleges. When Kyle tries to leave, Kim gets in the car with him while it’s pouring down rain. Kim tries to explain that after spending so many years together it’s time they see who they are without each other. Not a minute later, another car crashes into theirs leaving Kyle with a brain injury and Kimberly dead.

Thinking no one could possibly understand the pain he is in, Kyle meets Marley. Marley knows the kind of pain he’s in and they soon become friends. Soon their feelings for each other grow and Kyle can’t help but feel like there is another disaster around the corner.

So I’m to be 100% honest here, the beginning is kind of slow and I almost put this book down, BUT as you can see I ended up rating it four out of five stars. The plot twist in the book is like WOAH.

Kyle’s character could get a little annoying at times for me, but ultimately I understood where he was coming from.

Sam, Kyle’s best friend, definitely got on my nerves a lot. He kept giving Kyle crap about Marley when Kyle was just trying to move on and heal.

I loved Marley’s character. She was bright, but also quiet and sad. I think she was a good fit for Kyle.

I was a huge fan of Five Feet Apart which is by the same authors so that played a big role in me wanting to read this book. I’m so glad I did because like I said earlier, WOAH.

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon Schuster for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

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Daughtry and Lippincott have provided a wonderful story that is full of well developed characters and a fast paced timeline. I would recommend this novel to my students.

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Kyle and Kimberly are the perfect couple. After graduation they are even attending the same college, and everything will end with happily ever after. Until it doesn't. Kimberly breaks up with Kyle on the night of graduation and admits she is attending a different college. His world crashes, literally, On the way home they are involved in a car accident that leaves Kimberly dead, and Kyle trying to pick up the pieces.
While visiting Kimberly's grave, he meets Marley. She is also suffering from her own loss, and this brings the two together. A story about healing, and finding your own way that teens will devour.

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Kyle Lafferty has what would seem to be the perfect life, quarterback of the football team and the head cheerleader girlfriend he loves. They should be heading off to college next year with their best friend Sam, but in an instant that all changes. I don’t want to give too much away but what happens next is both a dream and a harsh reality for him as he rebuilds himself into a new Kyle who is a better friend and boyfriend than he was before. I did think the book got a bit over the top at the end but for all the fairy tale lovers out there this one is for you!

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This was a beautifully written contemporary YA novel. A must read this spring! Highly recommended for anyone seeking a heartbreaking romance.

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Ultimately teens are going to eat this up with a spoon. They love contemporary romances and the giant twist at the end will have their heads spinning. Is it for me? Nah. But this is totally for the kids and I'm glad I know about it.

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I had an issue with Five Feet Apart, but overall the story was good. So when I saw this available, I wanted to give it another shot. I just couldn't get into it. It isn't bad, the writing style just isn't for me. The cover is beautiful and the story concept sounds so good, I just couldn't invest in it. I did give it three stars, because it wasn't bad and it is a me thing.

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Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review All This Time by Rachel Lippincott!
A long-lasting relationship broken. A conversation harshly interrupted. A devastating reality. Those are the beginnings of this story. Kyle and Kim have broken up seven times over the course of their relationship. Now Kyle wishes he could go back and let her go and give her the freedom to be happy. He realizes how self-absorbed he’s been since his football accident and his relationships suffered because of it. He moves on and feels accomplished after his loss until he receives another eye-opener! Great writing and a unique storyline and if I give details, I will spoil it for future readers. Fantastic book full of hope, perseverance and love, 5 stars!
* I received an arc in exchange for voluntary review consideration and all opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Again Daughtry and Lippincott straddle a very delicate situation with deft and an eye to the human condition. It's a little too high of a reading level to surpass their independent frustration level for my critical reading students, but the content is very interesting. It could easily be something that they read with a partner.

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I could not finish this book. I read the first 12 chapters or 32%. I can't even begin to imagine the trauma of being the only survivor in a car accident when you are the one driving. So while it's perfectly reasonable that the narrator would speak and act the way he does, I just couldn't read any more of his teenage angst. I would still recommend this to students, as I feel a lot of them would enjoy the story. The overall premise of the story is obviously upsetting, so I would recommend it for more mature readers for that reason, but the section I did read was clean.

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By the same author duo of the NYT Bestseller Five Feet Apart comes another love story faced with tragedy.

This book was unexpected for me, and I have mixed feelings. I think that readers expecting a light romance will be disappointed, as it is not light in subject matter. There is grief, death, and isolation trigger warnings needed for this book. The cover would make you think that is happy-go-lucky, but it is not.

Now at the same time, readers who want just a hard-hitting contemporary dealing with the above mentioned issues, will also be disappointed because there are fantastical elements to this story, giving the read a fairytale quality.

This duality is ultimately what made me, personally, not get into the story as much for me. The beginning is both tragic and perfect all at the same time. Then comes the narrative twist, and you are thrown back out of this world you've already hunkered down in. It was jarring, and where it happens in the overall plot of the book makes the last half feel rushed.

As far as the characters go, they are surface level at first, but the reader sees growth, especially in the main character, Kyle's case. He does grow as a person, but still relays on others to make himself happy. But, I definitely knew a couple Kyles in high school, so his characterization is accurate. And, then there is Marley, the sad pixie dream girl. I have a soft spot for pixie dream girls, so I really loved her. But when the reader sees her only through Kyle's eyes, she is a little too "quirky and perfect".

Overall, this book was enjoyable, and the pacing made me move through the story quickly. Also, I really wasn't expecting the major shift in plot, so that was nice that it was surprising. A solid second book from this author duo. Their fans will love it, and I think readers looking for a contemporary romance that has a duality will enjoy it too.

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I was not expecting the twist! Very well done and an overall engaging book. It took a little while for Marley to grow on me. but I think this was a very realistic portrayal of teen romance.

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All This Time is my first book by these authors. I love YA books and this one the perfect example of why. It is an emotional Young Adult contemporary romance.

Kyle, Sam (guy) and Kim are best friends. They are graduating high school and the night of their celebration something happens. The lives of these three friends are changed forever. The book does a good job of discussing the struggles of healing, both physically and emotionally. It covers dealing with loss and guilt. It covers moving on.

I love books that are unpredictable. All This Time is definitely that! Just when you think you know what’s going on…the book heads in a different direction…in a good way.

There was much to like about this book. I enjoyed the friendships and relationships. It was a page turner once I hit the second half of this book. I could not wait to see how the book ended.

4 Stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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This book was a great read. It was full up surprises and keep you interested. This book is just as good as the last one in my opinion.

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