Past Present Future

April 1, 2024
Distance and personal growth challenge Neil and Rowan's once-perfect romance in this follow-up to 2020's Today Tonight Tomorrow. After a whirlwind summer together, Jewish teens Neil McNair and Rowan Roth leave Seattle for different East Coast colleges. Neil reassures Rowan that the distance won't change anything, but Rowan worries he's wrong. At Emerson College in Boston, Rowan's creative writing class gets off to a shaky start and quickly becomes a near-constant source of anxiety; has she forgotten how to write romance, or is it that she's never written while in love? Neil feels out of sorts at NYU, where he discovers a surprising lack of interest in linguistics, his major. A letter from his imprisoned father sends him spiraling, but he chooses not to tell Rowan about it, not wanting to burden her. In turn, she doesn't admit her reservations that their relationship may be harming her ability to write. It isn't long before they're forced to take stock of all the changes they're facing and decide if they want to take time apart. The characterization is strong: Neil's struggles with mental health resonate deeply, and Rowan's insecurities ring true. What happens after happily-ever-after isn't perfect--but for these two, it's always achingly real. Solomon digs deeply into elements she introduced in the earlier novel; readers should be familiar with the first book to fully appreciate this one. A gorgeous portrait of two people learning to love themselves before they can truly love each other. (Romance. 14-18)

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October 11, 2024

Gr 10 Up-This sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow focuses on Rowan and Neil as they give their fairly new romantic relationship a big challenge: long-distance dating during college. Rowan is headed to Boston, while Neil is pursuing his lifelong dream of attending NYU, and both experience unexpected battles while negotiating classes, roommates, new friends, and, of course, how to keep the romance alive. When someone from Neil's past starts insisting on renewing a relationship, he struggles with feelings of inadequacy. Meanwhile, Rowan is questioning her future as a writer, which has defined her identity for years. Will these problems jeopardize their relationship or can they prevail together? Fans of Solomon's other books will love this new installment, which ages up a bit to match the experiences of Rowan and Neil. Sex is discussed frankly and respectfully, with enough spicy, age-appropriate scenes to hook readers who come for the romance. The problems that the main characters face are typical but are handled with sensitivity and care in keeping with the characters' established personalities. Rowan and Neil are the same earnest, high-achieving nerds readers know and love, but they are growing up and settling into themselves as young adults. Solomon clearly loves her characters, and she makes Boston and New York City come alive. VERDICT A must-purchase for fans of sentimentality who enjoy Solomon's style, sweet romances, and stories about new beginnings.-Christine Case

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