In her mesmerizing novel *Right Here, Right Now*, Shannon Dunlap elegantly weaves a narrative that transcends the boundaries of reality, exploring themes of love, loss, and the intricate fabric of existence across infinite universes. With a stunning blend of lyrical prose and profound emotional depth, Dunlap invites readers into a world where the lives of two teens, Anna and Liam, are forever altered by the loss of Elise, a pivotal character whose absence reverberates through their lives and choices. At the heart of the story is the poignant question of how love endures even in the face of unimaginable grief. As Anna grapples with the weight of her friend’s death, she is forced to confront not only her own sorrow but also the aspirations that have become intertwined with that loss. Meanwhile, Liam's journey is equally compelling; he finds himself wrestling with the harsh reality of losing another loved one while trying to carve out a sense of purpose in a life that feels increasingly adrift. Through their intertwined narratives, Dunlap masterfully examines the complexities of grief and ambition, painting a vivid portrait of two young souls navigating the tumultuous waters of adolescence amid the specter of loss. What makes *Right Here, Right Now* particularly captivating is its exploration of the concept of multiple universes. Dunlap posits a reality where every choice creates a new path, leading to different outcomes and possibilities. This fascinating premise serves as a backdrop for Anna and Liam's journey, as they encounter alternate versions of themselves and their relationships, allowing them to reflect on the nature of love and the impact of their choices. The novel challenges readers to consider how different decisions could lead to vastly different lives, making the stakes feel both personal and universal. Dunlap's prose is nothing short of poetic, with phrases that evoke a sense of beauty and urgency. Her ability to articulate the inner thoughts and emotions of her characters brings them to life, making their struggles relatable and authentic. The emotional resonance is palpable, and readers will find themselves invested in Anna and Liam's journeys as they confront their grief and the possibility of hope and healing. The lyrical quality of the writing enhances the reading experience, drawing readers deeper into the emotional landscape of the characters. Moreover, *Right Here, Right Now* is not just a tale of loss; it is ultimately a story of resilience and the enduring power of love. As Anna and Liam navigate their grief, they begin to discover the strength within themselves and the importance of connection with others. Their evolving relationship becomes a beacon of hope, illustrating that even in the darkest moments, love can illuminate the path forward. In conclusion, *Right Here, Right Now* by Shannon Dunlap is a beautifully crafted novel that explores the intricacies of love, loss, and the infinite possibilities of existence. Through the journeys of Anna and Liam, readers are invited to reflect on their own lives and the choices that shape them. This moving, lyrical narrative will resonate with anyone who has faced the complexities of grief and the search for purpose, making it a must-read for those who appreciate thought-provoking young adult fiction. As the worlds turn and particles spin, Dunlap reminds us that love endures, guiding us through the labyrinth of life’s uncertainties.

Right Here, Right Now explores the age old question of "what if?" through the lens of teens in two different universes discovering who they are to each other and themselves in the wake of grief, self discovery, friendship and first loves.

I absolutely fell in love with the concept of following the same two characters in two different universes, with each universe told from the other character's POV. The difference between the two universes is the death of Elise- our FMC's best friend and MMC's cousin. Regardless of the universe, our main character's lives cross and twirl and intersect in various ways.

Both main characters, Anna and Liam, were imperfect, messy and utterly teenage. This brought me right back to high school in both the best and worst ways. The angst was palpable; the awkward moments were so real; the sense of self just starting to take shape in the realest sense. These characters are real and flawed and beautiful and messy- a fact I adore and appreciate.

There were moments that dragged a bit, but it really was a heartbreaking, beautiful, lovely story.

A huge thank you to Shannon Dunlap, Little Brown Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

In the novel's prologue, Elise dies in a car accident, a moment that will have lasting repercussions for her best friend Anna, a devoted violinist, and her cousin Liam, who sings in a band with a few friends.

We're also introduced in the prologue to the Many-Worlds concept, the idea that there are many versions of the universe, which continues to branch into alternate versions of itself. Thus begins a Sliding-Doors-esque novel, alternating between two timelines: one in which Elise dies and one in which she doesn't. In both timelines, Anna and Liam, childhood friends, reconnect, and their individual musical pursuits go in different directions in each branch.

The novel is fine, but it didn't really work for me. I wasn't interested in the branching multiverse timelines, especially the discussions of quantum physics, and I don't think many students (particularly those looking for a cute love story) would be either. Elise isn't particularly likable, and there a lot of moments where Anna and Liam don't particularly seem to like her, which is a real life experience but not one that makes for a compelling story. There are interesting things to explore about "what ifs," grief, and discovering your true passion, and I don't regret reading the novel, but it's not one that I think will encourage most high school students to get excited about picking up a book, particularly the reluctant readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Alternate universe storyline is food for thought!

Anna and Elise have been friends since they were very young. Now in high school, Elise annoys Anna because of her carelessness while Anna struggles to work hard to become a violinist. Liam is Elise’s cousin and this is the story that takes place in alternate universes involving these three young adults. Elise’s decision of whether or not to pass a vehicle in a sketchy situation splits the story into two parts; one where Elise lives and one where she doesn’t. Within these two universes, Liam and Anna deal with their grief over losing Elise or try to navigate life with Elise. The struggles of growing up and day to day life are portrayed well and with realistic developments; this story is food for thought.

Likes/dislikes: The alternate universe storyline stretched my brain and I enjoyed having to reset every chapter change before I could start reading with focus. Anna is a strong character. The character development is done well.
Mature content: PG-13 for drugs and smoking.
Language: R for 52 swears and 17 f-words.
Violence: PG for death.
Ethnicity: falls to white.

This uses the romance element perfectly with the young adult elements that I wanted. It left me wanting to read more in this type of book and thought the romance element worked overall. The characters were what I wanted and glad they felt like they belonged in this story. Shannon Dunlap has a great job in writing this and I enjoyed reading this.

just to start this book made me sob.

i typically am not a fan of dual timeline/universe in books but i decided to give this one a try and i am so glad i did.

as a person who’s every waking thought is about the ‘what if’s’ i thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters to their core.

my favorite part of ya books such as this one is the fact that there is room for characters to be flawed and messy and for that to be okay. especially when it comes to grief.

anna and liam had such a heartfelt connection and it was lovely to see how that connection went through different universes.

thank you to netgalley for the arc!

This one went ahead and provided all the feels! I loved the concept from the start: two universes, one in which Anna's bestie and Liam's cousin Elise dies, one in which she does not. Actually- there are probably many where all kinds of things happen, but these are the two diverging universes we find our main characters in. Such a great concept, and the author managed to really do it justice without it feeling overly complicated, which was impressive for me!

Certainly, it is thought provoking. You can't help but wonder how you'd be different if this thing hadn't happened, or that one thing went differently. In this case, it's a big thing- Elise's whole life. But there are other smaller differences too, which are fun to work out. Ultimately though, the story is about Liam and Anna, and who they are at their cores, in any universe. But their paths cross in both universes, and because of their connections to Elise. She is important in their lives, regardless of whether hers ends. And they still have to grow, and learn, and discover themselves, with or without Elise, and regardless of what they may mean to each other.

Bottom Line: It's such a heartfelt novel full of amazing character development and a very well-constructed world. It's also one I won't soon forget.

Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Right Here, Right Now" by Shannon Dunlap is an absolutely beautiful book that focuses on the infinite possibilities of the universe. More specifically, Dunlap created an emotionally charged YA contemporary romance that delves into themes of loss, grief, and love with characters that are both fully developed and flawed in some way, making them incredibly realistic in their depictions and their actions. Set against the backdrop of the theory of multiverses, the story follows Anna and Liam as they navigate the aftermath of a life-altering event that splits their reality into multiple possibilities.

The characters in this book are raw and flawed, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The characters felt like realistic teenagers, and while there were times where their thoughts/actions were naïve, I fell in love with them due to these flaws as I found myself relating to the characters. Anna and Liam grapple with their grief and trauma while trying to find solace in their music and their rekindled relationship. Their journey and growth is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, drawing you into a story filled with sensitivity and powerful emotions.

Dunlap's narrative structure, alternating between different versions of reality and perspectives, adds layers of complexity to the story. I didn’t know exactly how this book would work with the multiverses, but the way that Dunlap expertly crafted the story immediately drew me in. Normally, multiverses or alternative realities would sometimes confuse me as I would find it difficult to keep track of everything, but Dunlap laid everything out perfectly, and I found myself immediately drawn into the story. I was absolutely captivated by the structure’s thought-provoking nature, though some may still struggle a bit as there is still a lot going on. This is definitely not a book you want to speed through if you want to keep track of everything and fully understand the plot. The exploration of big questions about reality, fate, and the nature of love will keep you thinking about this book long after you’ve finished.

Overall, "Right Here, Right Now" is a moving and beautifully written novel that will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about the complexities of relationships and the uncertainties of life. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Dunlap.

I apologize for not finishing this book, I requested it hoping it would help me work through my own grief but I’m not in the right place to read the rest. I hope you understand. What I read was great and I plan on purchasing the final copy!

Thank you to NetGalley & Little, Brown Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! There were points where I couldn't make myself put the book down. The chronology and perspectives in this book were super interesting. Sometimes, it was hard to follow, but that may have been a personal issue rather than a problem with the actual book.
It was interesting, seeing these two people come back together through their grief and trauma, and to create something beautiful out of it. One thing I really liked about the two main characters was that they were flawed. They were realistic. They were working through their own problems while working on their music and their relationship.
As a musician and a romance lover, I really liked this book. It was engaging, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and overall just a really beautiful story about possibilities, life, and love.

The last few chapters are what absolutely made this novel for me. While part of me wishes we'd been introduced to more than the two timelines we followed earlier on, the conclusion left me with chills. A very moving novel on grief and what it (actually) means to move on with your life... and all the ways the universe may let you.

Right Here, Right Now by Shannon Dunlap is a breathtaking exploration of love, loss, and the infinite possibilities of existence. The novel follows Anna and Liam, who navigate multiple universes, each shaped by the pivotal moments surrounding Elise's life and death.

Shannon's writing is both poetic and profound, seamlessly blending science fiction with a heartfelt examination of the human experience. The characters, Anna and Liam, are beautifully developed, and their journey through grief, ambition, and self-discovery is both relatable and empowering.

The concept of infinite universes adds a unique and poignant layer to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the impact of choices on the course of one's life. The lyrical prose paints vivid images of various worlds, creating a captivating and thought-provoking reading experience.

Right Here, Right Now is not just a novel; it's a meditation on the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring nature of love. Shannon's storytelling prowess makes this book a compelling and emotionally resonant read, highly recommended for those seeking a captivating exploration of the complexities of existence.

There's this concept in quantum physics that suggests there are countless variations of the universe, each with its own unique possibilities.

As the world turns and particles spin, love endures...

This book beautifully captures a poignant love story that unfolds amidst grief and sadness, enriched by the healing power of music. It follows the encounters of two broken-hearted teenagers across multiple worlds, each path leading to different outcomes.

In one of these infinite universes, they meet at a funeral house where Anna, a disciplined and talented violinist with big dreams, mourns the loss of her best friend Elise. Elise is her polar opposite: carefree, joyful, and unpredictable. Also grieving is Liam, Elise's cousin and a band singer, with whom Anna shares a childhood crush. Their meeting at the funeral sparks a blossoming friendship and prompts them to wonder: what if there are multiple universes where Elise is still alive and they never met before? Their intuition proves uncannily accurate. Could they find each other again amidst the vastness of the quantum scale? What other life scenarios await them?

Overall, while the book starts off a bit slow, it gradually becomes more engaging, especially when the concept of multiple life versions is introduced. This aspect adds an intriguing layer to the story, prompting me to raise my rating from 3.5 to 4 stars. It's an original, emotional, and easy-to-read tale, particularly appealing to those interested in YA drama and romance intertwined with the fascinating world of quantum physics.

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and Little Brown Books for Young Readers for providing me with this digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

0 stars. DNF at 30ish%. For a grief book, there was no passion. There was no imagery, setting, or description of other characters beyond Liam and Anna. Elise was a plot devise, not an actual character with respect to cause grief. This is also marketed with physics in mind—there was hardly any science. I was very excited for this book, but it was incredibly superficial and disappointing for the content that was promised with the blurb