“The things is, you don’t forfeit your whole world to prove your feelings to someone. You bring your worlds together. You get more world, not less.”
Opposite of Always
Where do I even start with this book?
The reason I picked up this book was first the cover, because I loved the art. Second, because the synopsis sounded so unfortunate (and I try to stray from tragedies) that I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
This book made me so sad and happy at the same time because you want to root for Jack so bad but you and even nor Jack can do anything about it because what’s meant to be is what meant to be.
To summarize Opposite of Always, this book is basically about this super cool and funny kid name Jack who meets a girl at a party named Kate and they hit it off. Unfortunately she dies from sickness and Jack gets a chance to time travel back in time to relive the first couple months knowing Kate all over again and having the chance to save her.
Jack is a precious soul that must be protected. Jack has good intentions for everyone but it sucks when he tries to help someone but that action hurts someone else and it just breaks my heart seeing Jack trying to juggle his friendships, family, and his relationship with Kate.
Plus his humor is everything. I wish I was as snarky and funny as Jack because the stuff he says should be hung on a T-shirt and I love his relationship with his friends and parents and it just feels so refreshing to see parents that are THERE in this book.
The ending frustrated me so much because it was the type of ending that was open to your interpretation but I don’t want to decide what happens, I want to know if (minor spoiler) Jack gets his normal life back and stop time traveling but I guess that’s what makes it sadder because Jack possibly won’t turn back until he learns what lessons he needs to learn. SO FRUSTRATING! It didn’t end on a bad note because in a way Jack is happy in the end, but not the kind of happy you know he deserves. It ended more in a pitying note.
I give this a rating of 4.5 stars only because that ending frustrated me but other than that I enjoyed it so much!
Thank you for reading!
Jack Ellison King. King of Almost.
He almost made valedictorian.
He almost made varsity.
He almost got the girl . . .
When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over their mutual love of Froot Loops and their favorite flicks, Jack knows he’s falling—hard. Soon she’s meeting his best friends, Jillian and Franny, and Kate wins them over as easily as she did Jack. Jack’s curse of almost is finally over.
But this love story is . . . complicated. It is an almost happily ever after. Because Kate dies. And their story should end there. Yet Kate’s death sends Jack back to the beginning, the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Beautiful, radiant Kate. Healthy, happy, and charming as ever. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions are not without consequences. And when one choice turns deadly for someone else close to him, he has to figure out what he’s willing to do—and let go—to save the people he loves.
goodreads
bad and bookish 
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