Always Never Yours Review

Originally Posted: June 15

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Always Never Yours – Published 2018

“Megan Harper is the girl before. All her exes find their one true love right after dating her. It’s not a curse or anything, it’s just the way things are, and Megan refuses to waste time feeling sorry for herself. Instead, she focuses on pursuing her next fling, directing theatre, and fulfilling her dream school’s acting requirement in the smallest role possible.

But her plans quickly crumble when she’s cast as none other than Juliet–yes, that Juliet–in her high school’s production. It’s a nightmare. No–a disaster. Megan’s not an actress and she’s certainly not a Juliet. Then she meets Owen Okita, an aspiring playwright who agrees to help Megan catch the eye of a sexy stagehand in exchange for help writing his new script.

Between rehearsals and contending with her divided family, Megan begins to notice Owen–thoughtful, unconventional, and utterly unlike her exes, and wonders: shouldn’t a girl get to play the lead in her own love story?” – Goodreads

WHAT I LIKED

I started this book toward the very end of our school year, when we had just wrapped up our Shakespeare Appreciation unit. This book is heavily influenced by Shakespeare, specifically Romeo and Juliet. I loved all of the influences, such as a pizza place named Verona, each chapter starting with a R&J line, and the main character being a modern-day Rosaline. Very fitting, and I think the kids next year will really enjoy this one if they’re able to read it prior to, or during our Shakespeare unit.

Megan is witty, sarcastic, fiercely outgoing and flirtatious. She goes straight for what she wants and is very honest about her feelings. She’s a strong female lead.

This book would qualify as diverse in that Megan has a close gay friend and meets Owen, whom is of Asian decent. I honestly thought Megan was Asian based on the cover. I’ve read reviews and I am not the only one who thought this. One review claimed she is, but I am not certain.

An engaged couple co wrote this book. How cute is that?

WHAT I DID NOT LIKE

I feel like Megan fell hard and fast for people and the underlying message seemed to be that it’s okay to have feelings for more than one person. I think that’s fine in a YA novel, but I do think the characters were quick to take their relationships to the next step if you know what I’m sayin’…

There were maybe a few too many side plots going on. Megan’s got a mom in a different state with a new boyfriend, she lives with her dad and new stepmom along with their child and one on the way, Megan’s friends all have lovelife struggles, and throughout the book she questions her feelings for at least four guys. She also meddles in at least four other relationships. It was a little scattered.

OVERALL RATING

It was okay and I wasn’t actually rooting for the guy Megan ended up with. Overall, I was kind of bored. I think students would like this one, though, and I think it’s a perfect spring or summer read and an okay contemporary; I had just been looking forward to this one’s release for so long that I wasn’t enthralled. My TBR pile is too tall to not be head-over-heels for a book. 3.5 stars and I still recommend it!

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