Given that Groundhog Day is one of my all-time favorite books, when the plot of this book revealed itself, I was ALL IN!!! And this book did not disappoint.
I will leave the regular review stuff to others and tell you what thing I learned about me and how I’d like to learn to be/do better: I had to remind myself for the first, easily, 1/2 to 3/4 of the book to picture an all-African American cast. This straight, white old broad kept having to remind herself to see the characters as they were and not the way I am used to seeing them, even in my head. 🤓💜📚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Jack meets Kate at a party when he visits the college he will attend the following year. After a few weeks of trying to get back to her, the two begin a slow relationship. It comes to a head when she misses his parents’ anniversary party because she is in the hospital. When things go haywire, Jack is suddenly transported back to the party where they met. He tries several times to get things right, learning that some changes aren’t worth the results. I’m not the biggest fan of reading the same story over and over in a book, but this one was well-paced and I was eager to see how it would end. Recommended for grades 8+.

Sobbed a little when I finished this because of the emotional turmoil I was in.
Characters nuanced and well written, beautiful writing of scenery, situation and romance. I love this book sm.

I read an ungodly amount of YA romance, but this one will stand out in my mind forever and the characters have carved out a permanent place in my heart.

I first came to Goodreads in the middle *hoping* for spoilers because I was so worried for Jack! The stakes keep getting higher and the outcomes more heartbreaking, but the whole way through there is just so much warmth and vulnerability that it gets you through it. I’m in love with Jack, I’m in love with Kate, I’m in love with Franny and Gillian, I’m in love with Jack’s parents. The time loop as a device really pulls back the ways we protect ourselves from our own tender spots as we muddle through our own time.

I wish I had more stars to give this book. I will be a fan of Justin’s for life.

3,5*

I didn't love this book. It seemed to drag on and I didn't love the characters.

I listened to this book.

The Opposite of Always is a genuine story that manages to make you laugh in one minute and tear up in the next. It's speculative fiction in all the best ways, and each of Jack's "chances" will make you think hard about how each tiny moment affects the future.


[It's slow at points, could've done with editing down some of the chances, which is the only thing that kept me from going 5 stars on this one.]

3.5 stars