Jason Reynolds does it AGAIN and I am honestly not surprised because his books are absolutely home runs always. I think this will be a very popular book at my library once it's published.

A lot of YA books surrounding "first loves" or "first times" can be overly dramatic or show very unhealthy relationships. This was so heartwarming. We get to see their relationship develop, as it jumps backwards in time from the moment they're about to lose their virginity together. Not only is this young love secure enough to talk to each other about their nervousness, we see a young man who is able to openly talk to his parents (the scene with his mother at the diner is one of the best moments in the book) and sister as well. The only flaw is the story is a little short, with certain aspects I wished had been spoken about more. The focus is definitely on Neon, which is fine, but I wish certain characters had been fleshed out more (specifically Aria. since this is the story of their first time).

Healthy black teenagers in healthy relationships. This book is about real kids, kids who are virgins, and kids who are lying about their sexuality. Jason Reynold writes about a romance, about two kids who are about to go all the way, as a framework for essential conversations. I loved the conversations that Neon has with his mother. She did a great job talking to him about his feelings and also explaining that his girlfriend has feelings and needs as well. . This book was beautifully written and I would recommend it to high school kids.

The non-linear progression of time and the quirky character details when matched with the realistic and humorous dialogue made this an impressive, easy-to-read book that covered some heavy topics: relationships, sex, love, and family are only some of them. The main character is likeable, and his family approachable. Seeing Neon navigate his relationship with his high school sweetheart, the death of his grandfather, the influence of his peer group AND still maintain focus on preparing for his first sexual experience offered a rich, multi-layered young adult story.

Jason never disappoints and Twenty-Four Seconds from Now truly displays his writing genius! This book was so honest and written in a style I’ve never experienced. It’s definitely an enjoyable way to do flashbacks. This book reminded me of what it meant to have a young love and the nervousness of taking things to the next level.

I love Jason Reynolds and I liked the format of this book a lot. This is definitely YA, so I will not be purchasing for my middle school. I can see this appealing to high school readers.

Jason Reynolds 👏🏻

So dang good!

Jason is known for writing books that are powerful and begging for conversation. In his first foray into a love story he went above and beyond what I was expecting and I’m looking forward to any age getting their hands on this book once it’s released.

The way he crafted this love story but in reverse left me eager to know the backstory of Neon and the moments leading up to the opening pages of him in a bathroom seconds away from a life changing moment with his girlfriend…Oh you are just going to have to read it because it was truly amazing.

I often get messages asking about books for young men and this one is going to be my new go to recommendation. Jason writes being young and in love in the most wholesome way.

Thank you Simon Kids
Releases 10/8

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Jason Reynolds does not disappoint! As a mother of a teen, I will definitely have my teen read this book. I appreciate the male perspective at a time when hormones and wants are all over the place. I appreciate the dynamic of brother and sister as well as mother and son. What a great novel for our youth!

Twenty-four Seconds From Now is beautifully, poetically written. Neon and Aria’s relationship unfolds in reverse which I loved. Every person should have the joy of experiencing a relationship like this one.

Thank you, #Netgalley and #Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, for allowing me to read Twenty-Four Seconds from Now ... by Jason Reynolds.

Jason Reynolds crafts a beautiful romance story told from the male perspective. Neon and his girlfriend are making plans to do the deed. On that night, Neon is faced with not only reality but his thoughts. As thoughts rush through his head, seconds, minutes, and the past goes by. The moment Neon and Aria met, Neon had a funny feeling about her, even though he did not like her dog. He knows their love is true and wants to be with Aria since they started seeing each other almost two years ago, and it is time to take their relationship to the next step. But why is Neon tripping in the bathroom?
Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Aria, sits on the bed, wondering if he is okay. Neon's racing thoughts yank around the readers through his thoughts. To learn more about Neon and Aria's journey, read Twenty-Four Seconds from Now... by Jason Reynolds.
Things to be aware of: It does talk about having sex. The scene is off the page and nothing descriptive.

Jason Reynolds is a master in capturing the young adult experience. Students are going to love this book! The characters, story, and family dynamics are all relatable!

As a high school English teacher, I love books and authors that can relate to students and get them excited about reading. THIS is what students want to be reading.

I love the premise of the novel as well—moving twenty-four seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months. It puts a new perspective on how we view time and life.

Jason Reynolds is one of my go-to authors for reluctant readers, and I'm happy to be able to add another of his books to my collection. The book is about a romance--a healthy romance between well-informed teens who think before they act and talk about things openly. This is a fresh and honest look at how to be a better partner.

This was another Netgalley ARC. This is Jason Reynolds at his best. A sweet story of young love and firsts. The characters are fun, funny, so human. There are moments that are poetic but it isn't so heavy-handed that the story gets lost. It is well paced. There isn't all that much interaction between Neon and Aria, but I actually think that might be the point. Their relationship is a given. The story is more about how Neon got to the present moment. Still, I craved more one-on-one time between the two, more banter. The suspense of getting back to the beginning - both of the present time in the book and the beginning of their relationship- was fun to watch play out.

I am a huge Jason Reynolds fan, and this book does not disappoint. Aria is one lucky young woman to have found someone as caring as Neon. I love the way Reynolds takes you back a “twenty-four” at a time—minutes, hours, days, weeks, months—as you watch their relationship develop in reverse.

I loved finding out that Neon and I aren’t the only ones who do the cry thing (cry when we see someone else crying) so I imagine there are a lot more of us out there.

This is a young adult book but adults will enjoy it just as much because I imagine there are many, many people out there who are/were just as nervous about their ‘first time’.

What a breathe of fresh air. I loved everything about it!

This is a high school love story told in reverse, starting when the main character, Neon, and his girlfriend are 24 seconds from their first time. The story then goes backwards as we learn more about Neon, his family, his friends, and his fears of life after high school.

I love that Neons family, each in their own way, prepare him for this big step with Aria. He listens and learns about protection, consent, communication, and respect.

There's something so cathartic in reading about high school kids figuring out the normal high school stuff. Maybe it's healing the little teenagers we used to be. One of my favorite part about books is we get to live through a whole progression of a problem and then at the end of a book it's resolved (I know, that's the way story arcs work but still). I think I love YA so much because at that time in my life, I wasn't equipped to realize that the obstacles and problems I had were a normal part of growing up and would resolve.
It was so gratifying seeing Neon make his way through and figure out family, friends, peers, and young love.

I love everything Jason Reynolds writes and this one was a winner.

This is a beautifully written book, but it wasn’t quite my taste. I think that upper level high school students would enjoy this, but it would not be accessible or appropriate for my students.

Nothing short of genius, which was to be expected for THE Jason Reynold's latest work. I want to put this into the hands of every teen and every parent who has a teen. It's RELEVANT, RELATABLE, IMPORTANT, and BEAUTIFUL. In so few words, Reynold's words paint images in our minds and accelerate our heartbeats. I wan never anywhere but in this story while reading it.

A book about the "first time" and first love told through the steady stream of thoughts from the main character is so stunningly and authentically done. It's magic and absolute MUST-HAVE for teens.

I love Jason Reynolds. His use of character and time was very well thought-out. My students love Long Way Down. If they wanted to read another Jason Reynolds. This would be suggested. (Of course for mature readers!)
Concerns: Maturity.
Gifts: Structure and Characters.

Jason Reynolds is a must read for me, and his latest book doesn't disappoint. I loved the structure of starting at the end of the story and working backwards using the number 24. It was refreshing to read a romance from the perspective of a young man on the brink of a huge decision in his life. Reynolds handles the relationship between Neon and his girlfriend beautifully.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

I enjoyed this story. It was written in reverse, which was so cool! I think teens and young adults will eat this up! It’s fast paced and leaves you wanting more throughout. I loved learning more about Neon and his family and relationship with Aria. Jason Reynolds is a gift to the YA community.