I am a huge fan of Jason Reynolds. As a high school librarian, he is one author I consistently recommend to students and one they always like to read. However this book did not work for me due to the format. It starts at present day and goes backwards, which is a creative way to tell a story, but not one that I enjoy, and in this case, the whole story felt flat. When the story doesn’t get told in a linear pattern, it makes it challenging for readers to keep up. The reader doesn’t have time to get invested in the characters, and when you finally get the plot line, it changes in the next chapter. If I am always trying to figure out what is going on, the book is not going to be an enjoyable one. In my opinion, this book would have worked a lot better if it had started with the grandpa’s funeral and moved from there.

Jason Reynolds is just an amazing writer and this book is no exception. The realism and honesty in the writing makes the story one that students/teens will connect with. The relationship that the main character has with his family members and their open discussions are refreshing and something that will hopefully provide teens with the confidence to think through their decisions and talk to others about them.

If you've ever read anything by Jason Reynolds, then you'll instantly recognize his style of writing and his voice the moment that you start reading and living inside of Neon's head.

When I first read the synopsis of Twenty-Four Seconds from Now..., I thought, "Do we really need an entire book dedicated to these few minutes?" But, much like his work in Long Way Down, Reynolds has a way of instilling a lifetime of memories and information into those short minutes, and it packed an emotional and heartwarming punch. Well done!

Reynolds has written a love story that high school boys might actually read and enjoy which is an impressive accomplishment. The couple is pretty wholesome and they come from supportive families and communities. There is a sex-positive message in this book but sex isn't taken lightly.

In this young adult novel, Neon and his girlfriend Aria are seniors in high school and have been dating for two years. They are ready to become intimate, but are also feeling the nerves associated with such a big decision. The novel begins right before the big moment, and then moves backward in time as we learn more about their relationship and about Neon’s friends and family.

This book does an amazing job at speaking to what many teenagers care about - friends, family, and intimacy. Neon’s and inner thoughts are well fleshed out, and his parents talk to him about sex in a way that is refreshing and helpful for teenage readers to hear. Neon’s friendships ring true and while his sister is perhaps preternaturally wise, she is also a fully realized character with her own interests and desires. Not being a teenager myself, this book was not overly interesting but I would recommend it to those who enjoy YA or to those who have teenagers themselves and want a glimpse of some of what might be going on in their heads. My main quibble is that everyone in this book was kind, open, and respectful which is likely not representative of the realities of most teenage friendships and family relationships.

Reynolds has done it again. I don't know if there is a subject matter he cannot tackle with the humor and nuance he displays in all of his books. Twenty-Four Seconds from Now is the story of Neon and his girlfriend Aria, who have been in a relationship for a while decide to take it to the next step. The novel opens with Neon in the bathroom (24 seconds before the deed) panicking about the step they are about to make - from does he have b. o. to are they ready - but the story is so much more than that - from the time Neon first meets Aria, to the frank discussions about sex he has with his older sister, mother and father and the strong relationship he has with his Gamma and friends. This novel belongs alongside Forever by Judy Blume and I would recommend to all teens (and perhaps even parents) as it is just phenomenal. This might just be my favorite book of the year.

I loved everything about this. And I literally mean everything. Jason Reynolds has a way of trapping me with his words. Because as soon as I turned this on, I wanted to stay up and finish it. (If I didn’t work the next day, I would have…) And this was no different. I loved it.

Before I got a copy of this book I listened to a webinar where Jason Reynolds spoke. I hadn’t read the synopsis (because I never do lol) but I knew I was going to read it anyway. Reynolds started talking about what it was about and why it was so important. And I can truthfully say I hadn’t read anything like it before. So of course I got more excited about it. To have a REAL book about a Black teen learning about smex and how to keep it safe just seems unheard of. (Y’all like to pretend they’re not doing it…) So if nothing else, I wanted to read this to get the message so I know how to tell my librarians about it just in case. And the way this book is told is so light-hearted, so non-preachy, and just all around good. This book does teach you things, but it also will make you laugh and say “Awwwww” because of the way their love story shines.

This book is indeed a romance. Someone said, that Jason said, (that should tell you how true this is? lol) he didn’t see himself writing a romance. But the way this story is told is probably his way of sticking to it. It’s a romance, but its told backward, where they’re already in love. It starts right before they try, where he is freaking out lol It ends twenty four months ago when they meet at his grandfather’s funeral. This man is really the GOAT. The way everything was so in order and so well thought out? This man had to have written it regular first and then went back and flipped it because the details that were in each piece is UNMATCHED. I don’t want to go too into detail because I don’t want to give spoilers, but it was so good.

The way I laughed at this book too. Listen this is a serious topic that you don’t think should be filled with so much humor, but Reynolds gets it. He’s always said he doesn’t want to write boring books, so I’m not surprised he wrote this the way he did. That breakfast scene? My Gawd I was laughing so hard I almost woke up my husband who was sleeping next to me. This book takes a topic that is usually so uncomfortable for teens and makes it into something they’d actually like to read about. And I can’t thank Reynolds enough for giving this to teens who feel uncomfortable asking.

I don’t think I’ve given Jason Reynolds a 3 star rating on any of his books ever. And I’m not going to start now. This book was amazing and I can’t wait for you all to read it too. This book was seriously fun and addressed a topic we don’t usually see from the boy’s POV. This is going to resonate with a lot of teens.

Jason Reynolds can do no wrong. I love Neon, I love the concept of this novel, I loved every single second.

This will be great for the classroom! I am always looking for SCHOOL APPROPRIATE novels. Jason Reynolds can be hit or miss with this, but that’s because my district is rather split on politics. I hope this does very well. I love Jason Reynolds!

Jason Reynolds is a master of his craft. No one connects with teenagers better than him, and this book not only touches on a sensitive topic, but in such a way that provides words of wisdom that is perfect for any parent that needs help engaging with their teens about sex.

Neon and Aria have been dating for two years and are on the cusp of taking their relationship to the next level. Neon’s in his own head and so nervous about the prospect, so much so that he enlists the help of his older sister. He also receives advice from his parents and peers, some helpful, some definitely not.

I really enjoyed the premise of the book, moving backward from the first chapter, sharing the journey of Neon and Aria’s relationship. Some moments had me laughing out loud, and I found myself really enjoying Neon’s parents and grandmother. This story was really well done.

Thank you to Jason Reynolds, Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, and NetGalley for an advance e-copy for an honest review.

Interesting premise as this book moves backward from the first chapter. Two teens are deciding the question of having sex and what it will mean . We see each of the their lives, their parents, their school life and their friends. Cute story and well done covering the subject.

I typically love anything that Jason Reynolds creates, but this one just didn't hit for me. (Granted, I'm not part of the intended YA audience.) The back and forth timeline didn't flow that well; I understand it's purpose to provide backstory, but it seems like a linear progression would've been just as-if not more- effective. I wasn't particularly drawn to any character and kept having to re-focus myself.

Overall: 3 stars (I liked it)

**Thank you to NetGalley & Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books for the free ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.**

A romance from the teenage boy's perspective which is so seldom done that I'm hard-pressed to think of a similar title! The story is broken down into increments of time around the 24-- our male lead begins the book pep talking himself in the bathroom as he and his girlfriend are about to have sex for the first time. So it begins as 24 seconds from now, then 24 minutes from now, 24 hours, and so forth. You get to see the relationship develop in reverse before the book ends back at present time.

Jason Reynolds might be one of my favorite authors for teenage readers. He just gets their voices so well!

Jason Reynolds is a master at writing for teenagers. I was surprised to see he was now entering the romance genre. But, it was just as brilliant as his other novels. There are not many people who can connect with teenagers the way that Jason can. He not only is telling of this love story and taking the next steps but it is sprinkled with lessons and words of wisdom woven so perfectly into the story.

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC of this novel.

Neon and Aria have been dating for two years, and they've finally committed to having sex. At least, if Neon can get out of his own head. Follow their relationship backwards as Neon gets dating and relationship advice from various people in his life. Some of it better than others.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Tweny-Four Seconds from Now... by Jason Reynolds to review! Of course, I'm going to automatically want to read anything Jason Reynolds puts out because he's such a gifted writer. And this book definitely doesn't disappoint! Reynolds nails those teenage relationship emotions from the beginning.

One of the things I liked best about this book is the variety of advice that Neon gets as he talks to different people in his life. It shows that having these open conversations with teens better prepares them than just ignoring it. This book is an excellent framework for those conversations with teens, but also allows teens to explore just by reading this book.

In true Jason Reynolds fashion, this book is lyrical, with great dialogue and characters that absolutely leap off the page. It's not a long read, but it's definitely an important one. It might be one of my favorite Jason Reynolds books to date!

Jason Reynolds did it again! Not normally a "romance" author, but this one takes on a new look at romance. Love his writing and how he hits on topics that are real for teens.

This is the story of Neon and Aria experiencing their first love, and Neon anticipating their first time. Neon lives with his parents, sister, and grandmother, and their dog Denzel Jeremy Washington. Between high school and spending time with Aria, he can be found at his family’s bingo hall working. His anticipation for his first time comes with a lot input from his parents after his mom finds her bra in his room. Even if Neon is nervous, he is getting a lot of advice, and it’s really refreshing reading about a boy’s perspective.
He is also the sweetest boyfriend. He has a lot on his mind including that Aria will be going away to college. The fact that they haven’t discussed what will happen also weighs heavy on him.
I have read so many books about the female perspective it is nice to know that at least some boys have the same nervousness when it comes to taking a relationship to the next level. And how lucky for him to have parents that don’t shy away from discussing sex.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I adore Jason Reynolds and I devoured this book in a couple of hours. I loved the structure of the story told in reverse and Neon was the loveliest male teenage character I think I have ever read. I need a follow up to make sure he and Aria are still together once she goes off to college.

I am always looking for young adult romance books to suggest to readers and coming from Jason himself I knew this was going to be amazing. A reverse love story, with Jason’s storytelling made for a book full of emotion, changes, experiences, and relatability.
I can’t wait for young adults to have this book in their hands!

4.5 stars. A fantastic coming-of age romance novel that does a great job with all the emotions of planning and preparing for a young couple's first time. I loved that this is written from a 17 year old boy's perspective about his first serious relationship, but also focuses on the different relationships that he has with his friends, sister, parents, and grandmother.