This is so sad! But very true to life.

I actually haven't read the first book, but I was intrigued by the premise of the sequel: a long-distance relationship between two college freshmen at different schools. Like the book states, you don't often get to see what comes after the couple gets together at the end of the romance book. I can't think of another book that has shown a long-distance college relationship like this.

What Rowan and Neil face in this story feels so real, it can be triggering. The author perfectly encapsulates how unnerving the first year away at college can feel. Don't come here expecting a fluffy romance; romance almost falls to the wayside as self-discovery becomes a focus. If anything, the most prominent part of the story centers around father-son trauma. But it's not all rainclouds; rest assured, there is a rainbow at the end, a happy ending well earned.

I have nothing but good things to say about Past Present Future. Rowan and Neil are such real and relatable characters, even in Today Tonight Tomorrow, and that is just made even more true when we see what they go through together in this stunning sequel. Rowan and Neil are navigating a long distance relationship along with navigating their freshman year of college on the other side of the country, only a few months after the night that made them realize and admit the things they have both felt for four years. I love how this book beautifully shows the raw and uncomfortable feelings of struggling with mental health and everything that comes with being on your own and away from everyone that you know and love for the very first time, and learning how to cope with those things. Rowan is struggling with writers block for the first time in her life and can't figure out why she can't seem to write about love despite being more in love than she ever could have imagined, meanwhile Neil can't seem to push his family's past aside and it is causing him to struggle in ways he has never allowed himself to struggle before. The weekends and breaks that Rowan and Neil get to spend together never feel like enough because I want them to spend every second with each other being the romantic, nerdy, and competitive couple that they are. However, the two of them yearning to be together only made me feel overwhelmed with joy and filled to the brim with butterflies in my stomach every single time they are reunited.

I hold Rowan and Neil very very close to my heart, and wish I could read about them for the rest of my life. This sequel gave me all the same lovey swoony feelings as Today Tonight Tomorrow, without feeling repetitive and unnecessary. This book gives beautiful closure to their story in more ways than I could have hoped for.

thanks netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s publishing for this ARC!

okay guys this book made me sad. like to see them apart and living separate lives and at times i didn’t feel a connection to them at all. BUT this is real life. this is a story about long distance. so i enjoyed the raw and realness to it and the ending was just perfect! a HEA of course! because it’s rowan and neil and they deserve that! but i found myself bored at times and just trying to get to the parts where they were together. so you can’t help that really! but i do think this is a great ending to their story it was just hard to see them struggle. (and im saying this as a HUGE HUGE fan of TTT)

Thank you first and foremost to NetGalley and to the publisher and to the incomparable Rachel Lynn Solomon for this precious ARC that I actually gasped and squealed aloud when I received the notification it was available for me. Today Tonight Tomorrow was my gateway RLS and one of my top five romances period. I was so eager to get my hands on this sequel because Rowan and Neil are a part of my soul. I absolutely adored their first year of college together after the whirlwind of their perfect night together to accomplish Howl. This tender, achingly perfect ode to long distance relationships, the fever dream of the first year of college away from your safety net, and to mental health crises was just beautifully done. I loved exploring more of their backgrounds, their struggles to connect and reconnect again and again, and all with the undercurrent that these two individuals are made for each other. I can’t wait for others who loved Today Tonight Tomorrow to get to experience the HEA that these two deserve!

WOW. This felt almost like fanfiction but in the best way. The way the first one ended did not feel like it needed a sequel but as always, I will EAT UP any book this woman writes! 5 star for me because I am SOOOO attached to these characters but as far as YA goes, this truly feels like early college age YA (which like, yeah it fits the vibe!)

This picks up right after the end of the last book, Rowan and Neil are together for the summer but then leave for their separate colleges but maintain the relationship through long distance. They go through the hardships that are bound to happen with long distance relationships and being young adults navigating a new college experience/city.

I truly loved the internal explorations of these characters, Rowan's writing and expectations with romance, Neil's conflicting feelings about his Dad and mental health, Rachel Lynn Solomon knows how to expand on these characters in a way that tugs your heartstrings. As these characters are now in college, navigating new sexual experiences were handled with care and communication, which I appreciated. This book truly felt like their much needed happily ever after fully realized.

Rachel Lynn Solomon really understands how to convey the weird, confusing and exciting feelings you get as a young person on their own for the first time.

Thank you Netgalley for providing the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Past Present Future" explores the terrible and wonderful first year of college experience more accurately than any book I know of. It is the sequel to "Today Tonight Tomorrow" and follows academic rivals to lovers Neil and Rowan as they navigate a long distance (New York to Boston) relationship while going through their first year of college. They deal with mental health, jealousy, loneliness and all the other swirling emotions that come along with being in love and away from home for the first time. I also admire Solomon's ability to write characters that are so cognizant of their identities--they're both Jewish, he has always loved linguistics, she's an aspiring romance novelist, they are both chronic overachievers. This book has so much heart and so much angst. It made me want to reach through the years and give my 18 year old self a hug.

I fell in love with Rowan and Neil in ‘Today, Tonight Tomorrow’. This book continues their story as they start college. Rachel Lynn Solomon is not afraid to get real with emotions. This book follows their anxious/exciting start at university, shows the honest struggles with long distance relationships and talks about grappling with mental health conditions. Finally she shows how love can come out on top. Thanks for sharing the story of what happens after they get together

ppp was one of my most anticipated books of 2024. it did NOT disappoint. i was worried, because i am wary of sequels in general, ESPECIALLY unplanned sequels, but i should have known that RLS would never let me down. she also hinted at the conflict, and i was scared of how she would pull it off, but it was done beautifully. the conflict was very understandable, to me at least, and the general vibe of this book reminded me a lot of Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins, which I love. these characters stole my heart in T3, and they kept it during P3. i wanted to give RLS a hug after i finish because she writes about the issues that the characters go through so incredibly. the writing is authentic, evocative, emotional, and beautiful. this is one of the best depictions of college i have ever read. the epilogue was outstanding, too. i will not stop thinking about, talking about, or recommending this duology for the rest of my life. these books are the blueprint for romance, YA books, and duologies.

cw: alcohol, mental illness, domestic abuse, sexual content, panic attacks

Hmmmmm…where to begin? I knew it would be a 5, because, Rachel Lynn Solomon. And I knew it would move me because, well, same.

But I didn’t expect my tears to be from the heartache I felt, especially as Neil traversed his emotional and psychological journey. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised - there are heartstrings being pulled all over the place with a Solomon title. But I didn’t expect an examination of mental illness and/or family dynamics. I am still a little in awe of the skill with which this author taught me so much and so well. This one was deeper and less full of laughter than the first Rowan & Neil, but I loved it and will carry it with me for a long long time. 💜💜💜💜📚

I know this is going to sound mean but this was way too depressing considering how book one was written. I understand that Rowan and Neil are growing up and adjusting to college but holy crap, this was rough. I felt my own anxiety bubbling up just reading all of their issues.

Book one was just so fun and exciting and sweet. This book was certainly sweet, but I feel like there were too many mature themes being tackled. I think this could’ve done much better with different characters who did not have the background that we just read in book one.

I also hate to admit it but without all the hurt/comfort, this was boring. Maybe I just don’t like college settings but I found the overall plot to be slow. Not much happened outside of Rowan and Neil’s heads. And the inside of their heads was so depressing.

Also it’s ironic it is that I just read this after reading my first Nora Roberts book and being immensely disappointed.

5/5 stars

The ending Neil and Rowan (and all of us) deserved. This book felt so authentic and relatable. All of the struggles the characters went through, from relationships to school to money, it reminded me of my own time in college and felt so realistic. The emotion that Rachel Lynn Solomon is able to convey in her books is mindblowing to me. She doesn't gloss over the messy parts of life and instead uses them to build the relationships.
I loved Today Tonight Tomorrow and felt like this was such a good continuation of the story. I love these characters so much and really enjoyed getting to spend more time with them and see more of their stories.

I cannot recommend this book enough. It's perfect for romance lovers and anyone who's ever been young and trying to figure out the world

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC!!

I really liked this one! Today Tonight Tomorrow had been one of my favorite reads from last year, so when I saw Past Present Future on Netgalley, I knew I immediately wanted it. And thankfully I got approved! I will say, I did rate TTT higher, but I think that's just because of what it is. TTT is very much a romcom, I remember I was constantly laughing during it. PPF had an entirely different tone that I still enjoyed, but it's not the same lighthearted read as TTT.

But, with that being said, Neil and Rowan were still the same characters we'd grown to know and love! As a first-year college student myself, I loved watching them explore and find their footing, it was super relatable. And it was also so refreshing to see a long-distance relationship actually work out. I feel like we don't see that enough in books, so I really enjoyed that choice.

I also loved that we explored some more difficult topics in this one. Sure, it had me in tears at work, but that's been a consistent theme with my most recent reads. And besides, it's a good thing! It means that I really cared about all of the characters, which was so true. I was so happy to watch both of them heal and grow, it was a very touching book. I'd recommend it!

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Past Present Future is a captivating continuation of the romantic saga that began in "Today Tonight Tomorrow." In this sequel, Rowan and Neil find themselves facing the daunting challenge of maintaining their newfound love across the distance of different college campuses.

Rachel's masterful storytelling shines through in her portrayal of the complexities of young love. Through alternating perspectives, readers are drawn into the inner worlds of Rowan and Neil as they navigate the ups and downs of their long-distance relationship. From Rowan's struggles to find her creative voice in the bustling city of Boston to Neil's battle with his past and mental health in the vibrant chaos of New York City, the characters' journeys are both relatable and deeply compelling.

One of the most striking aspects of Solomon's writing is her ability to capture the authenticity of young adulthood. She deftly explores themes of self-discovery, friendship, and the pursuit of drea
ms, painting a vivid portrait of the challenges and triumphs that come with navigating the transition to adulthood.

The chemistry between Rowan and Neil is palpable, and their love story unfolds in a way that feels organic and genuine. Despite the distance and obstacles they face, their connection remains steadfast, reminding readers of the power of love to transcend boundaries and withstand the tests of time.

Past Present Future is not just a romance—it's a story about growth, resilience, and the importance of communication in relationships. As Rowan and Neil grapple with their individual struggles, they learn valuable lessons about honesty, vulnerability, and the true meaning of commitment.

Past Present Future is a captivating and uplifting read that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with a renewed appreciation for the complexities of love and the beauty of second chances. Rachel Lynn Solomon has crafted a remarkable novel that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages, reminding us that even in the face of distance and uncertainty, love has the power to endure.

When I tell you that this book made me sob, that should say it all. (For reference, a book hasn't made me cry since I read The Fault in Our Stars in 2011)

But in case it didn't, this book is perfection. Rowan and Neil had their Happy for Now in Today, Tonight, Tomorrow, but high school relationships rarely last through college. So of COURSE I needed this book as soon as it was announced. Identities change so much when you're finally on your own and adding in a long distance relationship makes things quite tricky. I really identified with both Rowan and Neil as they adjust to college - namely in Rowan coming to terms with her perfectionism and Neil discovering underlying mental health issues. (The latter is really what hit me in the feels) This definitely leans more towards New Adult since they're in college and there is sex, but it's all very tasteful and realistic.

You'll laugh, you'll cry, and then you'll want to read it all again.

*Thank you to Simon Teen and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Cry Count: 5
When I say that I rarely cry over books, I mean it. Even the saddest most heartbreaking books can’t conjure a tear from me. However, Past, Present, Future has hit me in a place that hurts the most… freshman year of college. I went through my first semester of college in a very similar way to Rowan and Neil, far away from home, in a long distance relationship and so insecure about everything. While the relationship didn’t work out, and I ended up getting academically disqualified from college first semester of sophomore year, I connected with Rowan and Neil in ways I never imagined. Rowan feeling like she wasn’t good enough in her major, never really having a good group of friends, not joining any clubs or organizations and having a roommate who felt like a stranger. Neil deciding to change his major, going through a rough bout of depression, and missing exams. Everything felt so real and genuine and it brought back all of those memories in ways that I wasn’t expecting. This book was so incredible and I genuinely can’t wait for it to physically come out so I can spend days annotating every little bit.

I absolutely loved the first book. I’m so excited we have a sequel with a dual POV to really get into the minds and hearts of these two lovers trying to find their place in the world. I absolutely cannot wait to share my thoughts on this and so look forward to sharing the continuation of this beautiful love story with readers.

I am a Rachel Lynn Solomon super fan. Not only are her books smart, thoughtful, and funny, but they also are always full of mental health and Jewish representation. Past Present Future is no exception. I just reread Today Tonight Tomorrow with my husband, and I fell in love with Rowan and Neil all over again. While I didn’t like Past Present Future quite as much as the first in the series, I enjoyed following Rowan and Neil into their next stage of life.

Past Present Future isn’t your typical romance novel. It starts with the couple in love and in a happy relationship. Instead of reading about their journey to getting together, the reader follows them as they navigate a long distance relationship. I was already invested in their relationship and enjoyed following them through the next phase of their relationship.

There aren’t enough books set in college. Solomon captures what it is like to be a college freshman so incredibly well. Like Rowan and Neil, I went to college across the country from my hometown and so much of their experiences reminded me of my own. The descriptions of anxieties around making new friends, classwork, majors put me right back to arriving in Massachusetts in the fall of 2010. Like me, also, Neil is initially drawn to Jewish life on campus, and he finds comfort in the familiarity of the Jewish traditions.

It is also absolutely true that college friendships can be some of the most important and longlasting you will make. I met my husband in college and made many other friends I hope will be in my life for a long time. The friends Neil and Rowan make in college bring Past Present Future to life. Skyler, Neil’s roommate is the most charming. I love that he invites Neil to dinner with his dad and also includes Neil in his ultimate frisbee game. There is no hesitation in the kindess he shows, but he also pushes Neil out of his comfort zone. We all need friends like Skyler.

I have lived in both cities where this book takes place. Boston and New York both have my heart, and it was so fun to read about places I love so much. There is a Billy’s Bakery right by my office, and I will agree with Adhira and Zoe in Past Present Future that the cupcakes there are better than Magnolia’s. I went to college in the Boston area, and Paulina and Rowan’s search for a real Boston cream pie and ending up at Dunkin’ made me laugh, but also felt so real to me. (Although I didn’t have a real slice of Boston cream pie until I had lived there for about 5 years). It made me want to go on a scavenger hunt through these cities like Rowan and Neil do.

As always in Solomon’s work, the mental health conversation in this book is handled expertly. Neil finds himself tired all the time and unable to do anything. He is afraid to tell anyone about his struggles because he is worried about being a burden. Reading this made me so emotional because of how deeply I related to that feeling. When Neil finally does tell Rowan, she reassures him that he could never be a burden and offers her support. I was so proud of Neil for deciding to seek medical treatment. Examples like that are so important for people experiencing depression or any other mental health difficulties.

Past Present Future wraps up the story that Today Tonight Tomorrow starts perfectly. It made me laugh and cry and feel nostalgic for my college days. As always, I am already eagerly awaiting the next book by Rachel Lynn Solomon that I get to read.

"This love is difficult, but it's real."

Is it possible to feel sick with joy? Because that is what I'm feeling.

TW: abusive parent (flashbacks, emotional and indirectly physical), parent in prison, estranged relationship with parent, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, childhood trauma

Most contemporaries don't need a sequel. Most works of art don't need one actually. Continuing a story that was successful just because you want to build off that success is cheap to me, a scheme for capitalism. A way to wring out something beautiful so all that remains is threadbare art. I have passionate feelings about sequels and their lack of necessity.

But I have discovered an exception to that general rule.

Rachel Lynn Solomon did not intend to write a sequel* to the beloved TODAY TONIGHT TOMORROW, even after it got some BookTok popularity. But she had an idea, wrote it all, and didn't tell anyone at first. And I think that the birth of PAST PRESENT FUTURE is what gave this story the life typically MIA in sequels—there was no ulterior motive, no corporate finger wagging. PPF was born out of passion and an idea that needed to be told to bring together Neil and Rowan's story. Their story didn't end in book one.

"...dating Neil McNair isn't actually all that different from sparring with him. We just get to make out afterward."**


This book feels meta in many ways. Rowan is an aspiring romance writer, and the book opens with her musing on the parts of romance novels we never see: what happens after they get together. What happens after "I love you." What happens after "The End." And we zip through their summer of love, the story instead centered on their long-distance relationship while in their first years of college—what it's like navigating a still very new relationship miles apart while simultaneously growing into their own selves as fresh adults.

Another reason why sequels usually flop is because there isn't a compelling enough story to carry a whole other arc. T3 is told only in Rowan's POV, but PPF is dual POV. Neil's character had a lot to explore in this story, something I wanted more of T3. (I always say T3 is a near-perfect book, and it would be more perfect if we had dual POV to begin with.) Rowan's character also had interesting developments. All of which is spoilery for both books, so you'll just have to read it. ;)

"Forelsket (Norwegian): the euphoria you experience as you begin to fall in love; or, how I feel whenever I'm around you."**


PAST PRESENT FUTURE is deeply romantic. Fitting snugly in the New Adult category that publishing doesn't acknowledge, Rowan and Neil have conflicts outside of their relationship, but they still have things to figure out within their own budding relationship too. All facets of it, actually, from emotional to physical and mental.

I don't think there are many books that explore that part of a relationship. What happens when the honeymoon phase is over? What happens when shit hits the fan, but you're miles apart? How can you stay connected emotionally and physically if you can't do the usual gestures, like bringing them soup when they're sick? Everything looks different. Passion has a more frenzied feel, a clock ticking down. Communication has to shift from what worked IRL to finding what works apart, then return to the original way when reunited. All the second-guessing that accompanies separation. It's not easy to experience or to write about.

I started this review with a Taylor Swift lyric, from the iconic "Love Story." The whole time I read PPF I kept hearing those lines in my head. Straightforward lyrics, nothing to win a Printz over—but the truest statement an 18-year-old girl can write in her bedroom. I like to think Rowan is a Swiftie, partly because Taylor is *the* songwriter of our generation, and I think her music would be a comfort for all the nights of uncertainty and all the nights of contentment. And there are few relationships that I believe in as much as I believe in Rowan Roth and Neil McNair.

I never doubt Rachel, and I never have reason to. I will be forever grateful that she entrusted me with the secret that this book existed in the first place, and then each title and cover development. Rowan and Neil are going down in history as one of the best YA couples to ever be written.

Rep: Mexican-American Jewish main character, Jewish main character with depression, side sapphic couple, side character with they/them pronouns

*I know this because she told me herself.
**Quotes are from the arc copy and may not reflect the finished version.

Thank you to Simon Teen for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. <3