The summary of this book doesn't do it justice. The author gave this story depth and dimension that is rare in most books. Each character had a balance and purpose to the story. The plot and direction it took was real and engaging. It is an emotionally gripping story.
If you can, take the time to read this book. You won't be disappointed.
Enjoy!

I don’t have much to say as I adored this book and really felt for Hannah. I love these kind of books as they are packed with emotions and I don’t feel like I’m reading!

I really really enjoyed Just Until. The story line was fabulous and heart breaking all at the same time. Hannah lost her mother at a young age and has been being raised by her dad. As a junior in high school, she learns they have to care for her nephews to avoid their going in to foster care. My biggest complaint is the amount of curse words in the book, especially being a young adult book. If language doesn't bother you, definitely check the book out!

*Thank you, Netgalley, and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own*

I thought I would like this book, but I was surprised by how much I actually liked it.
It is very different from everything I have ever read.
At first, I wasn't enjoying it that much because I thought the author was moving the story along too quickly and that instead of showing us what was happening, he was only describing it through our protagonist.
But I got used to this way of telling the story. This is not a book for everyone.
In fact, I don't know who I would recommend it to, but I loved it.
I liked the plot twists, the emotions that the story made me feel, and our protagonist.
I think she grows a lot with it, and we also feel a lot of sympathy for her and want everything to work out in the end.
For me, this was a very real book.
If you told me that this book was based on a true story, I would believe it because it has a lot of that vibe.
If you are interested, read it.
I highly recommend it.

“Just Until” is a poignant exploration of the foster care system. The story centers around Hannah, whose ambivalent choices and complex emotions are both relatable and thought-provoking. While I found it easy to empathize with Hannah’s situation, I never felt I fully understood her, which might be due to the somewhat weak character development. This made it challenging to form a strong connection with her.

Despite this, the book addresses incredibly important themes that deserve attention. Moldover’s portrayal of family dynamics and the difficulties within foster care is both realistic and heart-wrenching. The narrative is filled with emotions and difficult events that are sure to evoke a strong response from readers. Be prepared for sensitive topics such as child neglect.

Overall, “Just Until” is a crucial story that sheds light on the complexities of family relationships and the foster care system. I appreciate Moldover for writing this important book, and I believe it is a valuable read for anyone

This was definitely an emotional read, so be prepared if you decide to pick this one up. I don't want to give anything away other than that, just to prepare others.

This is the story of Hannah, an independent teenager with a dead mom and a local hero dad who is a bit absent and oblivious, even though he obviously loves his child. Hannah's life changes forever when her much older sister loses custody of her two boys and Hannah and her father agree to watch them just until. Just until her sister cleans up. Just until the end of the school year. Just until. The untils stretch on and on until some very difficult decisions have to be made.

Prepare for an emotional read. This book follows 17 year old Hannah as she becomes the primary carer for her older sister's children. I knew it was going to be tough going in, but this one made me cry. I was frustrated for Hannah and all she had to go through at such a young age. She was desperate to follow her late mother to university, but all her plans get left curbside. This story was well written, with the time jumps working smoothly. Hannah felt real to me, which I always appreciate. Her exhaustion and guilt was heartbreaking.
I highly recommend that readers check this one out.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Just Until is an exquisitely written book about family and a young girl's dreams. This book broke my heart, over and over again, from the opening scene to the last page. As the mother of two teenage daughters, I wept for the motherless Hannah and her two incredible nephews -- three children who deserve so much more from life. This story will stick with me for a long time!

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Hannah can't wait to leave her small town. When her niece and nephew are neglected by her sister, she has to make a very difficult decision. This was an emotional read.

I spent nearly an hour staring at this review box trying to come up with something that can perfectly describe how amazing this novel is, but I guess I failed. Here's my attempt:

1. This story is everything I expect/hope/love from young adult fiction. It's a complete package about growing up and the hardship that comes from it—of family, love, friendship, and figuring out life oneself. The beginning is hooking and the ending is tied up satisfyingly. It reminds me of Emma Mills' works, particularly "First & Then", because it includes essential coming-of-age elements that are linked to each other and they are all presented in an enjoyable way, even though the theme is different.

2. Hannah's voice is one of the strongest suit in this book. Beneath her chaotic mind and attitude, I can see she's very carefully crafted. First point of view is perfect for her story because then I could experience what it is like to be her, a girl living with a single dad who suddenly are responsible to two nephews, in a small beach town, without a mother since she's four. If that sounds like a lot, it's because it IS a lot, and I think Moldover succeeded in bringing her to life.

3. Another thing that's carefully crafted is the backstory and how sensitive contents here are handled. I taught elementary years ago and we cooperated with child psychologists to help students learn, especially the ones who have learning difficulties due to home situation. Reading about the boys and how they act and react, also Hannah's and her dad's attempts to understand them reminded me of what the psychologists said, and it left me bittersweet, heartbreaking, and heartwarming at the same time. Also, Richard Greene lives up to his name—as green as the forest 🌲

4. I... run out of words. Just read it yourself. Especially if your jam is YA contemporary and you want to hug (nearly) all the characters after reading.

ARC is provided by Holiday House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is not a happy book. Hannah faces struggles throughout, with family, friends, school, and life choices that made my heart wrench. However, it is a realistic book. It highlights class disparities, the foster care system, addiction, and life in a single parent home. It was very well written.

Hannah Lynn has been through significant challenges in her family life. When she and her father become obligated to take care of her two young nephews, she undertakes significant responsibilities. From this point on, Hannah is put in a situation where she must reevaluate her dreams of leaving her home town.

This was a very engaging and important read about a struggling and unconventional family. I like how it reinforced how family and its function can make or break young people. The story and its characters felt very genuine and realistic. The situation of this family really tugged at my heartstrings.

I enjoyed Hannah as a character and hearing this story from her perspective. I also enjoyed the element of romance in this story.

It ended well in a way which felt very true to the characters.

Thanks Holiday House for providing this book for my review via Netgalley!

Hannah must choose between taking her nephews in or pursuing her dream. this story is a bit sad, found myself crying.

Amazing book. Love the plot line . Love the character development. Will definitely recommend to friends and family

This is not a sweet story of family.

Hannah lost her mother, her sister is troubled, and her father Larry asks her, at 17, to be the safe home for her nephews Henry and Simon while her sister tries to get her life back in order, just for a few months.

This book has such layers to it. On the surface, we are taken along with Hannah as she navigates this huge disruption to her life; Henry and Simon coming to live with her and her dad for a few months. As we progress through the story, we read about her frustration, her resistance, and watch how she processes everything. However, this story has an undertow that rips at your heart! If you have ANY awareness into this type of situation, you can clearly see how much is left unsaid and open for multiple perspectives, and yet on full display under the surface. There is so much emotion Hannah doesn't have the capacity to exam as a 17 year old girl. The pacing was great, we never idled on filler story, everything had a purpose, everything was another pieces to this huge picture of what Hannah's life is becoming.

I was not prepared for the emotional roller coaster of this book, and the heart ache of everyone we meet. I dont want to say I "loved" this book because its not a wonderful, sunshine read; but I loved the power of this book and I was totally captivated and invested, and if you are ready to cry, this is the book you need right now!

My heart….excuse me while I go sob in a hole for all eternity. This book was beautiful and heart wrenching. It is definitely a must read.

Hannah’s sister has once again hit a rough patch and is unable to take care of her two sons. She signs custody over, what should be temporarily, to her father, and the story focuses on Hannah and her dad trying to raise Simon and Henry.

This was a tough read that also ended up being heartwarming a way. The love that was felt between Hannah, her father, and the boys was just so palpable.

The book does not shy away from how incredibly screwed up the circumstances are and how messed up the child welfare system in the U.S. is. It tackles the tough subjects in a really impressive manner.

Solid 4 stars from me. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I received a free copy of, Just Until, by Joseph Moldover, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Hannah is 17 and wants to get out of her hometown, but something always happens to make her stay, this time its her nephews, who have been taken away from her sister. After losing her mother to cancer, Hannah just wants to do what other normal students do. Hannah is a great character, I really felt for her. This was a really good read.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Just Until. Hannah must choose the impossible: put her nephews into foster care so she can stay true to her dream or take them on and lose everything she’s worked so hard to achieve.

A sweet story of choosing what is best for others only to find it is best for you as well.