KJ is one of the most amazing authors I’ve read, and even better, one of the sweetest, kindest, and funniest humans. I am so completely honoured to have been a beta reader for KJ’s latest novel The Forever and The Now.

I wanna scream and rant about how much I love this book (see Hyperactive Bookwork for this such thing) but I’ll try to find actually words to interpret *aaaaaaahhhhhh*

Firstly, The Forever and The Now is not a romance. For me, it is the ultimate love story. It gave me every feel you can imagine from laughing out loud, snorting, wanting to throw my device AT the arrogant homophobia of a few side characters, to making me love to cry. I even hit level 10 on the NINSAABO scale (Neen-I’m-Not-Sobbing-At-All-Bugger-Off). A few times in fact.

Bron and Kate are so different and so complimentary to each other. They bring out the best in each other in the most wonderful of ways. From the drawings Bron gives to Kate and the origami cranes Kate gives to Bron, to the different world views and life perspectives they bring to each other.

Everything about this wonderful book is raw and realistic, wonderful and heartbreaking. The trials and tribulations of a relationship, the highs and the lows.

And then we get the wonderful character developments of Bron and Kate. As the book is from Bron’s point of view we see a bit more of her development but we also discover Kate’s as well. And both are wonderful and realistic.

There are so many parts I loved about this book but my favourite scene of all time is the intervention with Bron and her sisters and mother. There is so much realistic and raw passion in this scene. It got the tears flowing and the heart pumping. It made me feel like I could have been in my sister’s kitchen being on either end of the situation. And damn did that hit home.

With KJ’s trademark flowing sentences, wonderful descriptions, and perfect balance of humour and heartbreak, The Forever and the Now is a book that will stay with me, and I’m so glad to have been able to read it. Just make sure you have tissues nearby when you dive in to this wonderful love story.

Be Safe
Be Brave
Be Kind

Neen x