Review: The Here and Now

I received this book for free from FTC: Exchange for honest opinion, Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love. This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time—a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated into a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.  Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth. But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves. From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking--and a must-read novel of the year.

I saw the synopsis and this is what interested me in picking up the book and seeing where it will take me. The idea of two separate worlds was not something new for me but I always love to see how the author takes that idea and puts their own spin to it.

The Here and Now was a little confusing in the beginning for me and that was a little let down, however, once the book picked up, it was all smooth sailing from here on out. The book started connecting for me and the parts I found confusing was a thing in the past. The book was an adventure with secrets on every page and a forbidden love that is too great to let go of.

The characters were great. Prenna is a strong headed girl who grows into a stunning young woman. She has secrets to keep and life to hide away but when seeing how wrong things are going, she puts everything aside to save a world and the boy she loves. Ethan is so sweet and the type of guy to give up everything for Prenna. These two characters go against all odds and in the end have each other.

The love that these two characters have is both good and bad. The good being, everyone would want to have their love and their passion for each other. However, due to where Prenna is from, her having an intimate relationship with Ethan can end up killing him. This is truly a forbidden love but I feel that they will find a way because like we all know, “Love Conquers All.”

Overall this book was a great read and I am excited to see where Ms. Brashares takes the next book. There are things one must stand up for and it is definitely in The Here and Now.

I give this book 4 bites!