If There's No Tomorrow by Jennifer L. ArmentroutPublished: September 5, 2017Publisher: Harlequin TeenPages: 480Find Online: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Books-A-MillionLena Wise is always looking forward to tomorrow, especially at the start of her senior year. She's ready to pack in as much friend time as possible, to finish college applications, and to maybe let her childhood best friend Sebastian know how she really feels about him. For Lena, the upcoming year is going to be epic--one of opportunities and chances.Until one choice, one moment, destroys everything.Now Lena isn't looking forward to tomorrow. Not when friend time may never be the same. Not when college applications feel all but impossible. Not when Sebastian might never forgive her for what happened.For what she let happen.With the guilt growing each day, Lena knows that her only hope is to move on. But how can she move on when she and her friends' entire existences have been redefined? How can she move on when tomorrow isn't even guaranteed?
What a tough topic, yet one that is always in need of discussing - drinking and driving. It's such an important thing ti discuss with teens and I feel as though this book will make them think twice before drinking and driving or even just getting in a car with someone who is under the influence (alcohol/drugs).
Lena makes a rushed and poor decision and is now stuck with the consequences of her choice. Sadly, she feels that she cannot confide in anyone with how she is feeling and avoids conflict with others. Her self judgement is so critical that she begins to alienate herself from her friends and possible love interest. She thinks about the friends who will never get to see what their lives would have ended up being like, that they would have no tomorrow. And she felt guilty living and wouldn't let herself move on... why should she get a tomorrow, and a day after tomorrow and so on, when she could have made a different choice and possibly changed everything? Is it truly her fault? Will others think that she's to blame?
The one thing that let the light come through was her relationship with her best friend, Sebastien. He had always been her BFF, yet she had always been in love with him. Finally, they realize that they both have feelings for one another. She hides her memories about the accident from him as she feels that it would change the way he sees her and she's terrified to lose his love and friendship. He eventually shows her that he thinks more of her than she expects and supports her unconditionally. He's a great guy for her to be with and to navigate the aftermath of such a tragedy.
In the end, this book deals with what happens when you think "it will never happen to me", the grief, the loss, the expectations of making better choices, and what it's like to live with survivor's guilt.
"I
knew I couldn’t go back and start a new beginning. I couldn’t rewrite
the middle. All I could do was change tomorrow, as long as I had one."
I have enjoyed every JLA book that I've ever read and this one was no exception. It's well written for such an emotional and poignant topic. Give it a go, if you're looking to read a standalone by JLA.
About the Author:
I've been looking at this one (since it's been around a lot because of its release), but since I've never read a JLA novel, I'm a bit cautious. That said, I do own Jennifer's other YA book (I think it released just prior to this maybe...?), so I'm hoping to read it soon. :)
ReplyDeleteI've read a few of her New Adult books as J. Lynn and enjoyed them so I figured this was worth a try. I'll be reading more by her now.
DeleteI actually still haven't read any of her books yet. I really need to though because they always sound so good and seem to touch on such relevant topics. After reading your great review, I'm definitely interested in reading this one.
ReplyDeleteDo you read New Adult at all? She writes some under the name J. Lynn and I enjoyed those, so that's why I gave this a try. Hope you enjoy when you get the chance to try her writing. :)
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