Make no mistake: If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is HEAVY. I devoured it while it ripped my heart out and had me crying, to the point where as much as I wanted to keep going I had to pause my reading because I was struggling to see the pages through my tears, but it also put me back together and made me feel SEEN. It’s tumultuous and soothing and shattering and oh, so heartbreaking, but also healing and hopeful and full of love. 

The story follows Avery Byrne, going back and forth between her present day experiences with the end of the world nigh and glimpses of her life prior. Avery is such a complicated character, the perfect Catholic and star athlete who hides so much of who she really is from everyone, including those closest to her. The woman she loves, her childhood best friend Cass, joins her as they navigate the final days with a diverse and lovely cast of characters including Avery’s college roommate Aisha, a college professor, Avery’s parents, her beloved brother and sister-in-law, and her adorable nephew.

It deals with heavy themes at the end of the world, but it’s not really about the apocalypse. It’s about figuring out who you are and your place in the world, the impact you make on those around you, no matter how many days you have left. It’s about finding that part of yourself that’s worth fighting for, even if the world is ending, even if there might not be a tomorrow. Hands down the best YA book I’ve read this year.