Twenty Four Seconds from Now

I love the way the story was presented with it going back in time to help us understand the characters and their back story.

Freya

Redhill Reviewers

A beautiful book that depicts a healthy relationship with those around him. An also beautiful format with the number 24. A book where the character isn't going through trauma is a much needed addition.

Emma

Townley Book Club

24 seconds from now is a romantic novel which focuses not only on the physical act, but the emotional concept to of two teenagers. Mostly the book felt boring and repetitive, although the book was really well structured in reverse chronological order (24 seconds, 24 minutes, 24 hours, etc.). But, overall, not a book for me.

Taha

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This a great story. I love how it is tracing back through their relationship. The book manages to fit in a bit of drama and keep you engaged. I loved it and I really recommend it

Blaise

Bookwizards

24 seconds from now focuses overly on sex; however it did have an interesting layout, with time slowly dialing backwards. Despite that, I feel that the book only really paid much attention to Neon and Arias' relation ship, and their aims at the end of the book.

Ben

TBGS READERS

I really liked this book, I thought the writing was really good and although it isn’t a book I wouldn’t normally read it was still a great read. The first few pages were slightly confusing but once I got past them and into the real story I understood. I also liked how this book had the right amount of details when talking about more mature subject e.g sex and childbirth. This book was also really good because the sister of the main character explains how a friend was wrong on how you should have intimacy with a girl the first time.

Natalia

Horsham BOok HUNTers

Twenty‑Four Seconds From Now was an interesting book, and I liked parts of it, but overall I would rate it 3 out of 5. I enjoyed the main character, Neon, because he felt realistic. His thoughts, worries, and awkward moments made him relatable, especially for teenagers. The countdown structure of the story — moving from 24 months to 24 seconds — was unique and made the book stand out. It helped show how small moments can build up to something important. However, some sections felt slow, and I sometimes wished the plot would move forward faster. There were moments where the story focused a lot on Neon's thoughts instead of actual events, which made it harder to stay fully engaged. I also would have liked to learn more about Aria as a character, rather than only seeing her through Neon's perspective. The strongest parts of the book were the family interactions, especially with Neon's grandmother. Her advice and personality added warmth and humour to the story. The symbolism, like Aria’s green house and the door knockers, was thoughtful and added meaning without being confusing. Overall, the book has good themes about growing up, first relationships, and understanding yourself. It just didn’t completely hold my attention the whole way through. Still, it’s worth reading if you enjoy slower, character‑focused stories.

Mariia

HAEC Books and Biscuits Carnegie Shadowers

24 seconds from now is a heartwarming story about a teenage relationship. I thought the theme of the book was tackled quite well and the characters and their relationships felt well thought out. Overall, I would give this book 4/5.

Alice

JGHS Carnegie Reading Group

I thought the idea of the book was good and i enjoyed but it was also quite confusing.It was very heartwarming and explored romantic relationships.It showed that people might get nervous for having sex for the first time.

Darcie

Redhill Readers

I really enjoyed this book because it was a heartwarming story about how Neon and Aria met and got into a relationship, and I also liked how it slowly went back in time as the book went on.

Annabel

Cake a Book Club

I really enjoyed this book and going back in time and seeing how Neon and Aria's relationship has changed. I thought that it was great for young adults. I thought that the way that Neon and Aria met was quite sweet

Cece

Cake a Book Club

Twenty four seconds from now is about a teenage boy who wants to have sex with his girlfriend for the first time. Throughout the book we go further and further in time. The author explains what has happened previously leading up to this end situation. The main theme of the book is the anxieties some feel in relationships and we need to respect that for who they are.Someone who I would recommend this book to would be a person who likes real life fiction, specifically the romance genre. I think a good age to read this book would be around 16 because this book relates to that age group the most

Conor D

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This book was a great read. It showed an interesting story on how 2 teens went through their relationship in a way I haven't seen before. The reverse order of the book definitely makes it stand out from others and it gets the message through on how they tackled their thoughts, stress and other things in their life. Neon isn't like a hero or main character he is more like all the rest of the teens his age. Constantly thinking about what the next best move is and struggles with challenges just like most people his age. This book was a great read and I would recommend it to many people as I personally enjoyed how it was laid out and its story line. A truly great read ⅘ stars

Oliver

Glossopdale Readers

24 seconds from now is a book that flows and makes you want to read more. Furthermore, it tells you loads about the main character's backstory and life when you read the multiple flashbacks that make up each chapter.

Henry

St Kaths

I really enjoyed this book. It handles the the stress and pressure put on teenagers around having sex at their age with maturity and is cleverly constructed and designed for teens and adults. The book itself discusses topics around 2 teenagers about to have their "first time" and we can see as the book goes on what built up to the moment its self as we find out more about the characters but also while they discover more about themselves in the prosses. This was the first book in the Carnegies and I found it enjoyable and educating to see from others points of views around sensitive topics around coming of age and first times. I would definitely read again!

Jemima

Tractors

In twenty-four seconds, Neon is supposed to be in bed with his girlfriend Aria, but is freaking in the bathroom, nervous about what he is doing and whether all will go right. Then he thinks about twenty-four seconds before that, when he rushes to the bathroom. And before that, twenty-four minutes ago, when Neon brought home a gift of chicken tender to Aria's house from the bingo place that he worked as an assistant for his dad, who runs the place. To twenty-four hours, when Neon's big sister Nat gives him some advice about having sex and what to do. To twenty-four days before, when he accompanies his grandmother to her husband's grave, to pay her respects, and received some advice from his mother about the importance of being a virgin. To twenty-four weeks before that, when Aria and their friends play bingo at his dad's bingo place on Halloween. To twenty-four months ago, when he and Aria first met after Neon's grandfather's funeral. I really enjoyed this book because of the way the plot was structured - it is one of the best books I have ever read! My favourite character would be Aria's sister Rosin, who is affectionately nicknamed "Turtle" as she is musical, supportive, and occasionally demanding, which makes her family paint their house often. Finally, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn a bit about relationships.

Ibsan

The Perse Carnegians

Neon is a regular black teenager trying to figure out who he is, not the most popular kid, not an outcast, just in the middle, like most people. He cares deeply about his girlfriend Aria about doing the right thing, and about making sure his first sexual experience actually means something. His family's values stick with him and shape the way he moves through the world. The author lets us into his head through his thoughts and memories, which is how we watch him grow up more than anything. Neon struggles with his own nerves and fears around love and relationships, something you can feel in small moments, like him standing anxiously in a bathroom before seeing Aria. He's not a hero or a symbol he's just a kid a real one trying his best.

Gwiji

The Lotus Readers

24 seconds from now is a very sentimental book full of close family dynamics, relationships with friends, and even a girlfriend. It starts with Neon, just 24 seconds away from his first time with his girlfriend, Aria. From his perspective, you can read the nervous trails of thoughts in his head, “What if I can't unclasp the bra with one hand?” He's not certain if he can go through with it, so he goes into the bathroom. Then it goes to 24 minutes earlier, where you can see his relationship with her, getting her favorite food. Rewinding to 24 hours earlier, his sister gives him advice. I really enjoyed that he communicates with a very supportive family, with whom he is not afraid to share his true thoughts, which leads them to have very deep and engaging conversations. Reading this book is similar to double-checking progress in life. It goes through what it's like to open up to somebody you care about and truly be vulnerable. At the end of the book, you flash back into the present where Neon needs to make a decision, stop pondering over the what-ifs, and decide. The real question is, does he do it or not?

Angela

The Lotus Readers

The book “Twenty-four Seconds From Now” by Jason Reynolds is set in Brooklyn, New York, exploring vulnerability, masculinity, love, consent, and intimacy through the eyes of young black teen Neon. Neon is represented as a usual adolescent presenting his insecurities and nerves before his first time having sex with his girlfriend, Aria. It is a compelling book as Jason Reynolds develops the main character through a reverse chronological narrative. This allows Neon’s emotions to be explored in depth as well as his journey toward confidence. Neon is a refreshing character due to his natural and honest portrayal, unlike most male characters, who are nonchalant and arrogant. Neon is a normal, vulnerable, and nervous young adult. The themes of vulnerability and masculinity are highlighted when Neon spends 24 seconds in the bathroom before having sex with Aria. This memorable moment is significant because it emphasises his intense fear, breaking stereotypes of male confidence. In conclusion, I would recommend reading “Twenty-four Seconds From Now” by Jason Reynolds because it teaches readers that healthy intimacy is built on consent, mutual respect, and connection. The novel highlights the importance of open communication and emotional maturity.

Sophie

The Lotus Readers

24 Seconds From Now is a very thoughtful novel following a teenage boy, Neon, exploring his feelings during a big moment for him. As the book progresses we learn more about Neon’s character and how he deals with ideas like relationships, growing up, decision making and pressure. I found the writing style interesting because it is written like a string of thoughts as if we are actually within the mind of Neon, showing his thoughts in real time. Overall, I think that this is an insightful and unique book about a journey of growing up and maturing.

Sebastian

The Lotus Readers

Twenty four seconds from now is about a teenage boy who wants to have sex with his girlfriend for the first time. Throughout the book we go further and further into the past, we learn many things such as how they first met, how the decision to have sex happens as well as family issues and relationships and other things that are mentioned within the first few chapters. Some of the themes that are present are relationships of all types, whether it be platonic family or romantic. Someone who I would recommend this book to would be a person who likes real life fiction, specifically the romance genre. I think a good age to read this book would be around 16 because that would most likely be when you would be able to relate to it best as you would be around the age of the characters in the book and the experiences between that age range and the book characters could be very similar.

lily

The Lotus Readers

The book “ 24 Seconds from Now” is a novel written by Jason Reynolds about a teenage boy trying to find his way in high school and life. The book shows the feelings, decisions and actions of the main character ( Neon) and how he is trying to adapt to his environment or place in society . Throughout the book, we learn about his relationships with other characters, his personality and changes to his character development. In my opinion, I thought the writing style of Jason Reynolds was unique since he has scattered the thoughts everywhere that makes the novel more emotional and gives insights to Neon and other character’s thoughts. He also used show not tell in parts of the novel, different to other authors. I think that the novel was a little more slower-paced than others, making the novel be more in depth. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes realistic fiction with a little romance and anyone who thinks they can relate to this book and characters.

Kimika

The Lotus Readers

‘Twenty-Four Seconds From Now’ is a book that looks at the life of a teenage boy before a big moment in his life. The main character, Neon, has to deal with a lot of pressure and nerves. I liked the way Jason Reynolds wrote the story because it feels really realistic and relatable, where we start in the present and keep going further back into the past. It’s like you are inside Neon’s brain as you embark with him while he makes these decisions. It’s a unique and honest story about maturing that doesn't feel like it’s trying too hard to be a "lesson” but more like a unique story of one of millions of teenagers.

Quoc Hung

The Lotus Readers

24 seconds from now is one of my favourite reads, It's a short but deeply thought about book. It starts off with Neon, 24 seconds away from getting to bed with is girlfriend and then as the book goes on it slowly goes back in time. I believe the characters were well developed and were very realistic matching everyday life teens. I would recommend this book to older students as it has some parts that may be a bit grown up and may make certain people uncomfortable. Overall I completely recommend this book specifically if you are into teen romance/ Romance generally.

Philippa

The Shady Bookhounds

Twenty-four seconds from now is a realistic romance novel which challenges stereotypes and gender norms. This book focuses on the perspective of our male lead, Neon, and his fear regarding "the next step" in his relationship with his girlfriend, Aria. The author portrays Neon's fear beautifully and perfectly captures the teens flowing emotions and stress. The book makes it feel as if you've known these characters for years, their personalities are complex yet wonderfully simple and this goes for, not only our main leads, but also many side characters. In regards to dialogue, I have no notes, the speaking fully encapsulates their dynamics. This is especially present in the conversations between Neon and Aria, using carefully chosen words, the author shows how sweet and caring they are towards each other. The book is not scared to show Neon's fear for the upcoming event, presenting a realistic interpretation of real life emotions most other authors wouldn't cover. The ending was admittedly, predictably clear but the interesting layout/format of the story in addition to its well written characters made it a truly unforgettable read.

Amelie

Tractors

At first, this book was not enjoyable; the writing style clunky. In my head, I pause every time I reach a full stop, as if to take a breath but, in some areas of the book, the full stops felt too often and, therefore, the book felt slow and tedious. Another feature I did not enjoy, was the lengthy/non-existent paragraphing. I would be unsure whether to start the next section or not because of timing. I would feel I would want to finish the section rather than end on a random page. I felt that the telling the story backwards was a great idea but just wasn’t used to its full potential.

Nina

The Perse Carnegians

Twenty-four seconds from now is such an amazing book! It was such an easy read and I really enjoyed how it was written from Neon's perspective as most romance books are spoken through a main female character. It also had a unique reverse chronological structure going back from 24 seconds to 24 minutes then all the way to 24 months. Although romance was a key theme, the book also showed what growing up was like and also grief. Overall, it was a realistic insight on romance and I couldn't put it down!

Maisie

Tractors

This book is outstandingly written. I love the timescale! It starts with a boy named Neon who is 24 seconds away from going to bed with his girlfriend, Aria. From that point, the story moves entirely backward. It rewinds to 24 minutes, 24 hours, 24 days, and 24 weeks, all the way up to 24 months prior, when he first met Aria. This is a truly thrilling reading experience, as it explores their relationship using a reverse timeline.

Molly

The Book Explorers

What a refreshing book, one that tells of a young mans wish to make everything perfect for his first sexual encounter with his girlfriend. I think every young man should read this book. It is told backwards, starting with "Right Now" then twenty-four seconds, then twenty-four minutes, then twenty-four, then twenty-four hours, up until they meet, then back to now.

Mrs Symons

Plumites

Twenty Four Seconds from Now was a very unique and impactful approach to this topic, it explores lots of experiences and emotions which often get looked over and ignored.

bea

TMHS:PageTurners

Twenty-four seconds from now is a must read for all young adults. I loved the format of the book, and the fact that the chapters were going back in time made the book really engaging and exciting. The book focuses on topics like relationships, pressure and growing up, so because of this, I would probably say it is for teenagers aged fourteen or over. I liked reading about their backstories and how they met and my favourite character is probably Jeremy because he brought them together! This book wasn’t my favourite but that doesn’t stop it from being very well written.

Jana

The Perse Carnegians

I thought that '24 Seconds from Now' was a book with a very interesting concept… that was badly executed. I found it was often unexplained and I found sections with Dodie hard to read as I was so embarrassed for him and the people around him. Each chapter felt very unconnected and it didn't feel like the things in the chapters going back really lead to the now I didn't enjoy this book and would probably not recommend 3/10

Grace

KES Readers

6/10 The concept for the book was interesting (telling it in reverse) and I haven't seen this too much in books before. Additionally, it was refreshing to see an emotional book about a guy, rather than one focusing on toxic masculinity. However, the settings and key themes in the book were not particularly interesting for me - in my personal opinion there was too much of a focus on sex and relationships. I might recommend this book to older readers.

Jex

IVC Readers

I didn't enjoy 24 Seconds From Now as much as the other books, but it was good, and I'd recommend it to older readers. It's about Neon, who's about to sleep with his girlfriend for the first time, and while he's locked himself in the bathroom, he thinks to 24 seconds earlier, to 24 minutes, to 24 hours, to 24 weeks, to 24 months ago. It is written with great care and imagery. Aria is a nice girl but Tuna is my favourite character because she's so cool. There were some funny bits, but also a lot of weird bits. Overall an okay book, but for older readers.

Kirsty

Vista Academy Littleport

I think that the book is rather revolutionary- it goes against the usual book culture of toxic masculinity and presents the main character (Neon) in a very vulnerable way, which is unusual to see. Furthermore, it is written in a reverse order, which makes it more engaging. However, the book focuses on just one specific moment, which some readers may find boring. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I think that it was well written.

Rosey

Elms Shadowing 2026

I enjoyed the colloquial style of the book but in context of the storyline I think the book could have a more meaningful message without the evasive sexual relationship between Neon and Aria. There is more to relationships than sex. However, there was a joke said by Petunia (Tuna) which I found quite funny.

Abigail

Elms Shadowing 2026

I really enjoyed this book, and I enjoyed the colloquial style. It attracts many modern day readers who are able to connect with the book.

halima

Elms Shadowing 2026

24 seconds from now was for me a very interesting read. It is not at all the type of book I would ordinarily choose to read, and so though I wasn't expecting it to be a bad book, I wasn't expecting to particularly enjoy reading it, but I did. I liked the format of the book, with it going back in time and then returning to the moment at the beginning. It almost felt as if as you kept reading you got to the know the characters better, and they were more comfortable sharing their past with you. I liked the fact that for me personally I didn't love or relate that much to any of the characters, but I also didn't dislike any of them strongly, which I think is quite unusual. My only criticism with this book is that I didn't feel like there was much of a plot that was keeping me on the edge of my seat, but I still think it is a good book and understand the author may have done this on purpose. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone to who is mature enough to deal with themes surrounding teen love and losing virginity. I am 13 and didn't feel too young to read it, so maybe for mature 12 year olds and up, and even if, like me, it is not your go to read, you may still find it enjoyable so at least give it a try.

Freya

The Maynard School

Twenty four seconds from now is an extremely interesting and refreshing read.I particularly liked how it was laid out in a more modern fashion then typical romance books and, it was very clever how the chapters went back in time, reflecting the main characters overthinking about what he is just about to do and and all the stages he went through to come to this moment(even if at times it was confusing). Overall I enjoyed it allot.

Josie

Chiswick Carnegie

This is by FAR the best book. The characters have such personality and all though I don't have a favourite, if I did it would definitely be Brina (Neon's mom). This is such an amazing book and the book I recommend the most.

Callum

The Narrative Navigators

'Twenty-Four Seconds From Now' by Jason Reynolds is a story about teenage romance. The book is mainly about Neon and his girlfriend Aria, going from now, to 24 minutes earlier, 24 hours earlier...etc. I found it confusing jumping between different time zones but I liked how they first met. The story had a good plot but it wasn't my favourite Carnegie book. I would recommend this book to people over the age of 11-12 who like books which feature romance. This (personally) was not my type of book but I enjoyed it all the same. Overall I would give this book a 3/5!

Lukshmi

CSGS Page Turners 26

Unfortunately, I found this book to be a bit pointless. It gave me so much backstory but barely any of it was important. It was a boring read which immediately put me off the book from the beginning. It does hint (right at the start of the novel) that we would return to the present just before the book ended. This gave me something to look forward to while I was reluctantly making my way through 24 seconds from now. However, when I finally reached the present, I was really let down by the ending I was hoping for. Nothing interesting happened. It was rubbish. I would regretfully NOT recommend this book to anyone as it is all pointless and a real let-down.

Molly

Chiswick Carnegie

I thought 24 seconds from now was ok as I found that most of the book was just a back story and not a lot to do with the main story line. However, I did like how the characters were built up throughout the book. It is about a boy who is about to get into bed with his girlfriend for the very first time. He wants to do it, however he is anxious about it and worried he will do something wrong. I like how it goes back in time through the book and then back to the present at the end as it is unusual and different to read it in that format. Unfortunately, I found most of the book quite boring and unimportant to the main story line. I also thought the ending was quite rushed and not a lot happened. I would not recommend this as I think there are more interesting books in the genre.

Hattie

Chiswick Carnegie

'Twenty Four Seconds From Now' is a really good book. I enjoyed it a lot, even if I found some of the sentences a bit weird. I loved reading it and I would definitely read it again.

Callie

Montsaye Shadow Readers

This was an enjoyable read, and the concept was interesting.

Zack

Crypt Bookworms

this book i didn't like it ever it was horible book i'll give it 1/10 there was very bad words that's i can't read it

lamar m

Lionheart2026

Personally, I enjoyed the book, but thought it was quite uneventful and slow paced. The layout of going back in time was a bit confusing, and I felt the characters were lacking a bit of depth at some points. overall I would probably give this book a 3/5

Remae

The High Storrs Shadows

'Twenty-four Seconds Until Now' by Jason Reynolds is the story of Neon and his relationship with his girlfriend Aria. The story starts with the present and then goes back i time: 24 seconds and then minutes, then hours,...etc, all the way to when they first met. I enjoyed this book as i like discovering the characters as we go back in time. It's really short and easy to read.

Anna

4Shadowers

I thought this was quite funny in some places and it’s good for older readers.

Marwa

Dunraven

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now is a very unusual and creative book, with an interesting structure that moves backwards in time. I think the author does a good job of building tension and exploring the main character’s thoughts and emotions in a unique way. However, although the idea is original, the storyline can feel a bit confusing at times because of the non-linear structure. Some parts of the plot feel more developed than others, and certain side details are not fully explored. Also, it is very focused around relationships and intimacy, meaning it is probably aimed for older teenagers (13+). Despite this, the book does a good job of focusing on themes like pressure, relationships, and growing up. In conclusion, this book is very slow and fast-paced at the same time, with it's unique back-in-time structure. I think it is great for older teens, about decision-making and thoughtfulness. Overall, I would rate Twenty-Four Seconds from Now a 7/10.

Felix

The Perse Carnegians

Twenty-four seconds from now is a story of love presented in a reverse narrative, the tale of Neon and Aria, a young couple in their teens, about to experience their first sexual interaction. My favourite character was Aria because she was so sweet, however I enjoyed reading from Neon’s perspective as his chatty and informal tone made this book more enjoyable to read than I thought. My favourite part of the book was when Aria and Neon first met. I liked reading this bit because it was a very unexpected encounter and the end to that part made me laugh. I read this book quicker than expected and found it quite enjoyable. I found that Jason Reynolds’ writing style made it easy to connect with the characters and gave the book some quite funny parts. I think that overall, this book is exceptionally good. I think the only thing that might make it better would be if there was a bit more interaction with Neon’s friends as we didn’t really get to know much about them and their backstories. Would recommend to people who enjoy reading romance.

Gwen

Vista Academy Littleport

I love how the book shifts from the different dates to add context to the story.

Charlotte

Fullbrook Bookworms

14+ it’s a mature read since it’s about love and a boy losing his virginity. It’s a great book. I love how the author uses the quote “ black boys deserve love too”. It’s slightly confusing how it travels backwards in time. I would give 3/5 stars. I appreciate how it deals with sensitive topics with so much compassion. I like how it’s about taking your relationship to the next level although I couldn’t relate to quite a bit as it’s aimed at older readers. I’m too young to understand most of the context. It’s a nice read but I quite like to relate to books I read. It’s way off from the books I would usually read. Overall, I would actually recommend it!

Aurora

Larkmead

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a powerful and original young adult novel about love, growing up, and the pressure teenagers can feel in relationships. Jason Reynolds tells the story in a very unusual way, moving through moments like twenty-four months ago, twenty-four weeks ago, twenty-four days ago, and finally the present moment. This structure makes the book interesting because it slowly shows how Neon and Aria’s relationship has developed over time. What makes the novel stand out is how honestly it talks about teenage emotions, intimacy, consent, insecurity, and trust. These topics can be difficult to write about, but Reynolds handles them with sensitivity, humour, and realism. Neon’s nervousness feels believable, and many teenagers could recognise themselves in his doubts, fears, and overthinking. I also liked that the book is not overly dramatic. It feels natural, funny, and human, while still dealing with serious subjects. The relationship between Neon and Aria is shown through both awkward and tender moments, which makes the characters feel real. Overall, Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is an engaging, thoughtful, and relatable novel. It is easy to read but still meaningful, and it encourages readers to think carefully about respect, communication, and growing up. I would highly recommend it!

Yasmine

4Shadowers

Twenty-Four-Seconds is a very good and interesting book! Slightly confusing as it goes back in time, then forward and back again. WARNING: Very mature themes and activities. Overall all a very good book and definitely recommend to any one 14 or over!!

Charlotte

The Mockingjays

Having read 24 Seconds From Now, I believe I now have a deeper understanding about sex and consent. I really love how the author presents this book, as he gives us a personal, heart-felt backstory behind the time a boy loses his virginity. Personally, I would not have picked up this book, and I'm really grateful to have this opportunity to read it. Although I was doubtful at first, this book really developed and connected with the reader. I 100% recommend this book to other shadowing Carnegie groups, and I would encourage them to look past the front cover and blurb, and I genuinely hope they will enjoy it as much as me.

Rose

Kingdown Wilts

It was REALLY good, I felt like I was in the book because I had lost myself in the book. I made sure I read it everywhere: in lessons, at home, after-school. I can't describe how the book made me feel, it made me warm every time it got to both Neon's and Aria's parts in the book.

Elizabeth

Baxter Booklighters

The characters were beautifully written and felt alive and animated from the start. The book as a whole was an inspired, genuine and funny read, and felt intrinsically human; even the sense of detachment from time that is created by the ‘24 seconds, minutes, hours’ motif felt similar to the strange feelings and memories that resurface to someone’s brain when they are nervous. I was slightly confused by Neon’s willingness to be friends with the horrid, lewd character who gives him a lift to school, but possibly this is because the target audience is older.

Sophie

Horsham BOok HUNTers

I only read 2 chapters of this book and I think the theme is really good for giving an insight into how a man/boy feels about intimacy and sex in a relationship as there is usually a heavy focus on the woman/girl's feelings. I think it could be very useful for young men struggling with relationships, anxiety and other strong feelings. Personally it wasn't a book for me but I do believe it may be helpful for a specific audience.

Harrison

Henry’s Shadowers

This book is about the relationship between Neon and Aria. I found it a bit confusing how the book kept going backwards in time to tell the story, although I did like this. I didn’t like that this book is leading up to Neon and Aria having sex. I couldn’t relate to this book because I am too young for it. I think this book is aimed more at older teenagers.

Adidev

The Fitzharrys Shadows

I found this book so interesting as it delved into all of the history in a couple's relationship, and parents support in life. I loved it so much but I thought the ending could have had more detail as it ended quite abruptly with not much explanation. I couldn't put it down!

Chloe

CSGS Page Turners 26

I didn't really like this book: the layout of it, going from the present to the past and then at the end returning to the present day, didn't really stick out to me. Even though it's an interesting layout, it would've been even better if it started out as the past, then gradually going to the present day.

Tarja

GreatB00ks

I disliked this book. It was very boring and the story was very basic. I would not recommend this book to a younger audience as it has mature themes. I would just not recommend this book as there are many weird moments such as a humping a car wheel and masturbating in a sink.

Hasan

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I'm not really sure what to think about 24 seconds from now. I feels like it didn't really have a story line and seemed like it was just an excuse for the author to constantly talk about sex. I don't think we heard enough about the characters' personalities and I don't like it. Overall 4/10

Toby

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Twenty-Four Seconds from now is a book about Neon and his girlfriend, Aria, in the time leading up to them making love for the first time. The structure of the book is laid out as going progressively back in time. I like this idea because it allows the author to build suspension throughout the whole book to get from the first section to the ending, and it allows him to make hints in passing at things that have already happened in the storyline, that then get revisited in more detail. Aside from the 'ew' moment that teenagers often have when talking about romantic topics like this, the book points out that there are people around you, like Nat or Neon's parents that help him with advise about growing up. The things that I didn't like about 24 Seconds from Now was that the ending that had been built up to only lasted 3 pages and I would have liked either another section or an epilogue to finish the story properly. I don't recommend this book for anyone under 14 as it has themes of gambling at a bingo hall and of people sleeping together. Overall, I give this book 3.5 out of 5

Felix C

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now is about the courage to wait. Through Neon’s nerves and his funny, honest thoughts, I learned that growing up isn't about rushing. It’s about having the strength to be gentle and patient. The book shows that real maturity is listening to your heart and making sure your choices are based on respect and kindness, not just pressure.

Lojine

Lionheart2026

Twenty-four Seconds From Now is a book about love and sex. It has a lovely note from the author and I quote “black boys deserve a love story too”. The author deals with the subject in a sensitive and compassionate way. The story centres around Neon and Aria and their love. The writing style is unique. It begins with them getting ready to ‘take the next step’ in their relationship, then cleverly jumps back in time to provide the reader with context. The story is told from Neon’s perspective and records his journey with Aria from when they met to the present. It tackles the tricky conversation around this subject in a sensitive manner. Twenty-four Seconds From Now is a satisfying read, a little outside my usual style, but I would recommend this to a slightly older audience. Twenty-four seconds from now is a satisfying read, a little outside my usual style, but I would recommend this to a slightly older audience.

Oliver

The Fitzharrys Shadows

This book is about a young boy who is nervous about sleeping with his girlfriend. It also shows his life from minutes to hours, to months and then years. In my opinion, it is a sweet story of love and friendship which I would give 4 stars out of 5.

Elspeth

Montsaye Shadow Readers

I found this book very interesting as it was written going backwards in time, which was a strange concept at first but soon I began to enjoy it, as it explained things that did not make any sense at the the start of the book and this meant that I knew what they meant by the end (for example Denzel Jeremy Washington). I really enjoyed this book and it was very funny and also Neon and Aria's love for each other was very obvious. Would definitely recommend.

Rowan

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This book is about Neon's relationship with Aria and everything that leads them to where they are now. In my opinion this was a good book and had a very good storyline and was very exciting to read. I would rate 'Twenty Four Seconds From Now' 3.5 stars out of 5.

Zara

Montsaye Shadow Readers

This book was very strong in how connected the reader felt to the characters; however, I think it lacked a more engaging story-line and also it was quite anticlimactic, reducing the excitement.

Arnold

TBGS READERS

This book was definitely a unique read - it was structured in a way I had never seen. I think the informal writing style and the time skips to the end past reflected the thought processes of a 17 year old - and I could see the consideration gone into writing as Neon, the main character. It was unlike anything I have ever read, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Yuvi

KECHG Shadowers

I read 24 Seconds Till Now and it is about a boy and his girlfriend, Aya, who have been together for two years and are about to have sex for the first time. The book is structured in a really interesting way, going from 24 months, to 24 hours, to 24 minutes, and finally to 24 seconds before the moment. This helps show how their relationship develops over time from when they first meet and fall in love to when they become much closer. The main character is the boy, who is quite shy and sometimes unsure of himself. As the story goes on, you can see how he changes and becomes more thoughtful about his relationship. The story is mostly told from his point of view, which helps us understand his feelings and thoughts. Personally, I didn’t really relate to the characters because they are older than me and the topic is not something I can connect to yet. However, it still made me think about how much you need to trust and care about someone before something like that happens. I found the writing style quite easy to read and well written. The author often moves between the present moment and the boy’s thoughts, which builds tension as the story gets closer to the final 24 seconds. I liked how it focused on his emotions and what was going through his mind. My favourite part of the book was when he goes to his girlfriend’s house (around 24 minutes till now) and brings chicken with him. I liked this scene because it felt more normal and realistic, and I could imagine something like that happening in real life. My least favourite part was near the end when he is nervous in the bathroom, because it felt a bit uncomfortable and not very pleasant to imagine. In my opinion, the main message of the book is that people should not be afraid of the idea of sex and that it is something natural, but also something that requires trust and understanding. The author explains this in quite an open and honest way. I haven’t read anything like this before, especially not on this topic. Normally, I prefer books with characters my age or stories I can relate to more easily. Overall, I think this is an interesting and well-written book, but I would recommend it more to older readers, such as Year 10 or 11, rather than younger students. Even though I didn’t fully relate to it, it helped me see a different point of view and learn something new.

Enzo

Plumites

Life-like, intimate and interesting. It's interesting reading a love-story backwards. Why? Well, because it makes it more interesting as a reader to already know the outcome but still watch as it happens. I think it gave it a sark that common love stories just simply miss out on. I also like how it doesn't feel like the main character's world is revolving around you as a reader, because it's written really nicely in a way that makes it really feel as if the main character is just living their life. When Zed talks to his grandma and grandad it has a sense of authenticity that works really well with the setting that's laid out. I like how Neon dislikes Denzel Jeremy Washington and the story of Aria is set out really well, as if you and the main character are talking to each other. Overall, I thought it was really good.

Ellie

WSFG Carnegies Shadowers

I really liked the way the author wrote the book by going back in time to when the couple met and at the end what they currently are.

Shekinahglory

Lostock High Readers

This book was so cute, whilst also carrying an important message. The characters were really well rounded and carefully thought out with various issues of their own and strong personalities. The chronology worked so well and helped in presenting the themes of consent, sexual intimacy and family links, which in my opinion are strong themes that should be talked about in today's society. I loved that it came from a male perspective. The only drawback was that the chapters and the book overall were so short. Overall it was a good book and I would rate it around 4 stars.

Emily

HAEC Books and Biscuits Carnegie Shadowers

24 seconds from now is a love story that features a boy Neon not only falling in love but is experiencing all of the emotions and thoughts that come with a person’s first time . It shows the connections between his family and friends and their advice about his next steps in his relationship with his girlfriend Aria . I enjoyed reading this book from the boys perspective because it showed how boys might think and feeling during a serious relationship . I also like the themes of the book which I would say are love , friendship , bonds and trust . I would recommend this book to a teenage audition and overall I would give this book 4 stars because I like it’s not like any romance book I've read as it's told in reverse and it's very different and unique .

Annabelle N

Glossopdale Readers

Twenty Four Seconds From Now has completely blown my mind. The format of the book, going further and further in time is something I've never seen before. After reading, I wish more authors would use this idea, as it is so unique and very engaging! This book's plot and characters, especially Neon and his personality, made me feel an inexplicable feeling. It felt very relatable, being in a relationship as a young adult and having to make a difficult decision. The idea of books being focused around teenagers, how they mature and learn to find themselves with support. It made me smile. For some reason, I do not find many books centering the boy of the relationship, and this exact one felt very satisfying to read. Usually, it is stereotyped that the man of the relationship is always confident, and is never nervous. That is very incorrect, and seeing this book showing the vulnerability and emotion a boy could also experience made me really happy. I truly thank the author of this book for writing something I think everybody should take into consideration. Jason Reynolds absolutely deserves to be a candidate for the Carnegie Award!

Melisa

The SBSJs

I found this quite boring. I don't think time and romance fits together.

Abdul

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

24 Seconds From Now is a romance novel telling the story of Neon and Aria's relationship in reverse. I loved the timeline of this book and how it was written from the males perspective instead of the females as it usually is. I like how honest this book is and how it shows the vulnerability of the characters and captures teenage love beautifully. I would recommend this book to every teenager going through their first serious relationship as it is very insightful. 5/5

Ava G

Glossopdale Readers

A beautiful story of teenage love. The way the story teaches the importance of showing respect, honesty and vulnerability is lovely. It was great to read about their story and refreshing that it didn't include any heartache or outside influence to try and break them apart. Wonderful to read a happy and committed love story.

Fiona

The Carnegie Coast Readers

I didn't really like this book as it did show the life of Neon from when he first met Aria to them doing intimacy. I didn't really like the setting of the first couple of chapters as it was very adult like. But after that it got all right.

akmal

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I really enjoyed this book. The way it was told in reverse, starting from the present then rewinding to points further and further back was a great way of understanding how Neon's feelings had developed and how the situation had unfolded. I especially liked how moments that were mentioned earlier in the book were explored in greater detail later when they were actually happening and how that grew your understanding of the story.

Sophie

KECHG Shadowers

This by far was my favorite so far out of these books. I loved how it was was wrote in a timeline going backwards because it felt different to other books and more unique, I never got bored and it was also easy to understand. The only issue was how it was hard to tell when there was a flashback but it's like that in most books I've read and I eventually caught on to when everything happened.

Amelie

Plumites

I found Twenty-four seconds from now such a sweet, honest book. The relationship between Neon and Aria was built up around so much trust and care for one another , displaying a good relationship to the reader. As you went into their past , you got to see how their relationship developed right from the beginning and got to understand the present even better. My favourite character was Dodie as he's so spontaneous , unique and funny. I also liked Neon, Aria , Gammy and Neon's parents and sister- who gave good guidance to Neon on how to take the next step in his relationship. Overall I liked the layout but found it slightly confusing at times. It was good that the reader was given time to adjust to each time zone as if they were too short I think it could have felt confusing and overwhelming. I really loved this book and all the characters who all had such strong vibrant personalities with so much depth. Thank you!!

Lyla

The Maynard School

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now was not a good book from my perspective. At first I saw a teenage romance novel and was hoping for something different than every other book of the same genre. And I thought this book had it. But no. The concept of the book working backwards in time stands out as an idea I have never seen before and I was excited to see how it would play out. However, my hopes were soon crushed. This idea really didn't add all that much to the book other than being a cool gimmick and the storyline itself could not support it as it was far too bland. I was hoping for something different but I was met with repetition. There was humour, but it didn't shine through. There was romance, but it didn't shine through. There were backstories explained and then re-shown later. There were characters, but they weren't developed. There was the yearbook, but it had no impact. I just couldn't find anything in particular that stood out to make this book good. Why create all these great parts and then leave them half finished? The only thing I liked was that neither Neon nor Aria had any serious disabilities/flaws as that is the easy way out. Overall, the concept was too bland to support the weak storyline and none of the parts were fully developed. Plot:3/10 Characters:5/10 Setting:4/10 Style:7/10 Total:19/40

Sevan

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

The characters Aria and Neon have a very strong connection and I love that about them because of how much they enjoy each affection.

Isabella

Lionheart2026

24 seconds from now is a lovely book that is honest and thoughtful, I really enjoyed the format and the vulnerability of Nino. I definitely think that it is a worthy candidate for the Carnegie medal!

Elowyn

TPS Carnegie Collective

Twenty-four seconds from now is a book about Nee and his girlfriend Aria who have been dating for 2 years. One night, they are at Aria's house and Nee is hiding in the bathroom, nervous because he wants to do everything right. But twenty-four seconds ago... I like this book because it is about family, friendship and love. My favourite character is Aria because she is innovative and kind. My favourite part of the book is when Aria and Nee meet for the first time. I like Jason Reynolds' writing style because it sets out the story in a way that doesn't bore you, but intrigues you.

Catelyn P

Vista Academy Littleport

This book is actually not bad when it gets into telling us about Neon’s life with his girlfriend. This is a good book about how everyone can be who they want.

Arthur

The Fitzharrys Shadows

Twenty Four Seconds From Now is an amazing book about a teenage boy who tells the reader about the key stages of his relationship with his girlfriend and in his family life. It is a very good book that is perfect for teenagers and young adults. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for something different and out of the ordinary to read.

Isla

Weald of Kent Grammar (Sevenoaks)

'Twenty Four Seconds from Now' had an interesting structure with it moving from the future to the past and it had a moderately engaging plot. It follows the relationship between Neon and his girlfriend Aria and how their relationship grows closer and stronger. It is told from Neon's perspective which gives the view of Neon's feelings and emotions as he and Aria take the next step into their relationship. The book didn't have a very gripping storyline and was more of just a narration of a teenagers day-to-day life. It didn't contain any exciting or gripping parts. The book is aimed for 14+ readers and overall, I wouldn't recommend this book as I didn't find myself enjoying the plot or the style it was written in.

Theresa

Diary of a Wally Kid

The book is about a boy and his progression on which he is getting up to this point in time when he is going to have sex with his girlfriend. Then we go in a flashback developing into how he got into this situation, what led up to this moment and what else he does in his life. What I like about the book is the characters, progression and plot of the story. What I don't like about the book is its beginning and the slowness of the start. Finally, I found the book really enjoyable, good and interesting.

Conrad

Bookwizards

This book was one of the most perfectly heart aching experiences I have ever had the pleasure of reading; it was written in such a way that a teenager could relate to the simple tasks that the characters experienced. Yet the pure devotion and love that is displayed throughout this book is captured so nicely and in such a realistic way. Such a beautiful book!

Bethan

Horsham BOok HUNTers

I didn’t really enjoy this book. The author was quite creative and kept rewinding time each chapter but it made it hard for me to keep up with the timeline. I felt as if the story kept dragging on.

Andrea

Crypt Bookworms

I really enjoyed this book, I think it captured the thoughts and feelings of the characters really well. I think the way it was written to capture that sort of "life flashing before my eyes" sequence of thoughts, when you think of everything that happened and led to a moment. The language and style used was perfect for describing and writing about a teenage experience. I also think that the fact that it was literally just a boys life, the basic routines and events that he goes through and the love for his girlfriend gave the book a certain value that you don't always find. A lot of books are written with a sense of anticipation and climax when you're waiting for something big to happen. But this book was just a story of a life. And I liked that.

Florence

Carnegie Shadow Judges MEAC

I honestly didn't like this book. The first two or three chapters were fine, but I do feel like the book just wasn't suited for me. I really liked the concept of each chapter being set further in the past than the last, but I just don't feel like the chapters really correlated to each other in the latter half. Also, I wasn't drawn to the writing style which focused on the smaller details rather than the whole picture.

Rida

HGS Book Club

24 Seconds From Now is a book that flips what every other book does, by effectively making you read it backwards. This book follows the story of Neon from when he is about to "connect" with Aria - backwards to the day that he meets her. The book is set in everyday family life. If the author is trying to make us feel at home he succeeds entirely. The book also makes you learn stuff in advance, like why Neon hates Denzel Jereme Washington, and how the dog even gets that name in the first place. It's a book that I would recommend to anyone who loves friendships, romance and books where the main character is likeable and identifiable.

Toby

The Wondrous Book & Biscuit Club

Twenty Four Seconds from Now was a very boring book that was not very interesting and didn't really have anything exciting in it that kept me reading. It was boring and was the worst book in the Carnegies.

Joshua R

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I liked this book as I enjoyed that it wasn't in chronological order, and that we knew what was going to happen when we went back to the past as we had already read it. However I didn't particularly enjoy the plot as I found it didn't really spark my interest. I would recommend this book to 13-15 year olds as it is an alright read but has some sensitive themes. I would rate it a 6.7/10.

Amelia M

Skipton Shadows

A book with feeling: 24 seconds from now written by Jason Reynolds is a very emotional and expressive book, capturing the thoughts and worries of a 17 year old boy. Jason Reynolds made me feel as if I was going through the thoughts and the story. The book is based about a boy called Neo, he and Aria have been dating for 2 years, and they finally decide to have sex. At least if Neon stops overthinking it. Follow their commitment to each other as they go back in time showing how their love escalated… I like how Jason Reynolds made it very realistic and sensitive, however I slowly would lose interest since it would mainly discuss the same things furthermore, since it would go back in time I would already know what would happen. Rating: 3.5/5

Lilly

Euro Champs

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a wonderful book, and here's why: The author has chosen a brilliant range of vocabulary and has used it in the perfect way. There is enough information to make you want too read more, it keeps you hooked. It's just the right size story, it covers all of what the title and blurb suggests in only 239 pages. It's a different genre from what I usually chose to read but I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. I would read another romantic story again because of it. The story didn't hang out the theme for too long meaning that I didn't lose interest.

Lucy

Plumites

This book is a very short book which goes back in time on how this high school couple met. the inner story itself is quite good on how they met but some parts of the story are not really relavent and this makes the story line drift apart. The first few leaps are quite interesting and fun but as the leaps get bigger i lost interest quickly and board of reading it and you could guess what was going to happen in the story. the concept of the book was really good i just wished it could have been brought out better

Lily

THS Book Crew

When I first started reading twenty four seconds from now, I didn’t really think it would be my sort of book. But as I read it, I got more and more engaged and started loving it! I really like the author's writing style, and how they have split the book into different sections. I also love the protagonists: Aria and Neon. portrayed. Altogether, a really heartfelt, romantic, and most importantly, a good book.

Jess

Shelf Indulgence by JCG

I really enjoyed this book. I found it extremely captivating and I though that it was written in a really interesting way as it started in the present and gradually went back in time to when they first met. I found the book was quite wholesome especially towards the end and all the main characters were portrayed as being very likable. For a book that is in a genre that I wouldn't normally choose to read I was pleasantly surprised by how good it was and I will definitely try to read some more books written by Jason Reynolds in the future.

Henry W-R

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Twenty four seconds from now was quite an interesting book. It follows the story of Neon and his girlfriend Aria. I liked the fact that it talked about the character's emotions and how they dealt with them, and how Neon and Aria's relationship developed throughout the story. Some parts I didn't enjoy because they were written in quite a lot of detail, and I found it a bit confusing how the chapters went backwards in time. Overall in my opinion this was an okay book but I probably wouldn't read it again.

Emma

Vista Academy Littleport

This book was a really good book for teenagers. It helped to show how teenagers think and also portrayed quite a bit about culture and behaviours around high school children. I found it really informative and also a great way for teens to grow their understanding of these topics. It also explores family and romantic relationships and all the ways these have impacts on young people. It shows the ways that young people feel around family relationships and also friends. I thought it was a great book

Grace

LSST Library Shadowers

'Twenty-four seconds from now' is a good book that shows what Neon is thinking, feeling and doing at different points before he is meant to go to bed with his girlfriend Aria. Before going back to the present. The rewind factor makes it easy to understand why Neon is feeling how he is. It's a good book and i would recommend.

Jackie

DGS Carnegie Shadows

This wasnt my personal favourite book, but I like the lay out of the book, and how it goes backward in time.

Emma

Dunraven

This book is about a teenager, named Neon - thinking about love, relationships, and an important moment in his life. The book follows his thoughts and feelings, as he decides what to do. The story mainly takes place in a short period of time, focusing on his thoughts. Overall, I liked how real and simple the story felt, the writing was honest and easy to understand, but still very meaningful. The main character's thoughts felt very relatable, especially about relationships and growing up. I also liked how the book focused on emotions and decisions. However, sometimes the story felt a bit slow and did not have a lot of action - there were parts where not much happened, which made it less exciting. Also, the story was very much focused on one key moment, so it didn't really explore other parts of the character's life. Final thoughts: I thought it was a good and thoughtful book about growing up. **** (Four stars out of five).

Romeesa

Rockwood Reads

This YA book goes from the end to the beginning then to now for the final chapter. Confused? You will be but having said that you will meet amazing characters on the way. Neon and Aria have been in a relationship for 2 years and are ready to take that further. The couple are from different worlds: Neon's father owns and runs a bingo hall and his mother is involved in her late father's door knocker manufacturing shop. Aria's parents are professional musicians with a talented younger daughter. Neon and Aria meet by accident at the funeral of Neon's grandfather when at the graveside Aria's runaway dog creates chaos. In between this Big Decision about their relationship is the creation of a video year book for High School, realistic parental advice for Neon, and friendship scenes. I likes Neon's father's advice on taking relationships further: "Don't bring no babies in here unless they can count money. I don't need no grandchild. I need an accountant to help with the bingo book."

Mrs P

Cake a Book Club

Twenty Four Seconds from Now is a very interesting book. I think that writing from the perspective of a boy on such an intimate topic is effective due to societal standards not really showing emotion in men. I enjoyed the order of events that, instead of being in a traditionally chronological order, went backwards because I have never read a book in that style before. I enjoyed the themes of family that were explored when Neon took advice from his mother and grandmother, which was very heartwarming; however, I do think that there were some unmemorable characters who were not essential for Jason Reynolds to include. Moreover, the book felt like a very long introduction with not enough focus on the plot, instead a larger emphasis on the complicated structure.

Arfa

KECHG Shadowers

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a beautiful story in my opinion. It is about a boy called Neon who, at the start of the book, is going to have sex with his girlfriend in twenty-four seconds from now and he’s really nervous. Then we’re taken further and further back into Neon’s life as he gets advice from his parents and the development of the thoughts he has at the beginning of the book. This book was a bit mature for Year 7s, I would reccomend this to teenage boys as it teaches them about how it’s OK to express your emotions and to have intense emotions and that there’s always someone to talk to

Leopold

The Perse Carnegians

I really did enjoy 24 seconds from now because it's a very heart-warming book. It let's us see emotions that you wouldn't think about in a healthy relationship and how it's perfectly okay to feel that way. I also like the black representation in the book and how it's done without any harmful stereotypes <3

Lesley

9y4

I really enjoyed the book, it was much better than I expected because I was a bit apprehensive when I read what it was about. I really enjoyed the writing style and the way the author used the format of 24 seconds, months etc to tell the story backwards. I thought that the book told the backstory to the characters really well - it made me feel like I could understand them. I really enjoyed how the book started towards the end then went back in time gradually to tell you how they got to the moment where he is in the bathroom and is nervous that he might mess it up (Neon's romantic night with his girlfriend Aria). It was a very enjoyable book, I would definitely read more books by this author, I enjoyed his previous book When I Was The Greatest - and would recommend this author. I'd rate it 9.5 out of 10.

Edmund

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This was an interesting book . It was very heavy on the topic of intimacy and some bits were a bit graphic which I didn't enjoy reading . I think it did well at representing boys feelings and emotions and how they shouldn't be covered up and I liked how more towards the end how Aria and Neon's relationship developed . However overall this was not my favourite book and I probably wouldn't read it again .

Holly

Vista Academy Littleport

This was a good book, though just not really for me......... However, the morals raised and the storyline behind it were really cool; I thought the way the book was written backwards was ingenious, as giving more meaning and depth to what you just read made the story develop continuously! Jason Reynolds truly knows how to captivate his readers!

Agnes

Lit Legends of Swavesey

I thought this was a very good book! I liked the portrayal of the characters' relationship, as it was very positive and I think it conveyed a positive message about how to approach relationships without sounding too preachy. I thought how it went backwards time wise wasn't hard to follow, and I enjoyed the characterisation - it felt as if Neon was talking to the reader. This was a very sweet book, but also dealt well with the more serious topics, it had the perfect balance and was a happy book to read!

Iris

Skipton Shadows

I enjoyed this book as a short read that had lovely themes of friendship, love and trust. I enjoyed the order of events that went backwards instead of forward in chronological order. I think that it helped me to develop an opinion of the characters from knowing where the storyline ends. Overall, it was a touching and romantic story that I really enjoyed.

Immy

Skipton Shadows

I am really enjoying this book. I read a lot of romance books and I think that when they include heterosexual relationships it is usually from the female’s perspective. The characters are amazingly put together.

Sage

Lit Legends of Swavesey

Twenty-four seconds from now is a really good book. It tells the story in a unique order, starting from the present then into the past, really showing how people think about their memories. The writing made me feel like I was truly seeing the thoughts and feelings of the main character, Neon, because it was sort of written in a way like how you would talk to a friend. I also enjoyed the book as it was quite relatable to me due to the second hand embarrassment and the overthinking Neon experiences in the story and probably relates to most teenagers too. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to other people and I loved the way the story was put together.

Summer

Bramcote College Library

24 Seconds From Now is a great book that makes you feel a rollercoaster of emotions. It shows how one moment can change your life. The story moves fast. It makes you think hard about the moral dilemmas and the complex characters while not taking away from the gripping and tense story. The author does a great job of making you feel excited and also making you ponder. Some of the surprises may be predictable but still makes you feel great. The book talks about what happens when we difficult make choices and how people connect with each other. You think about these things even after you finish reading the book. While still engaging me, the pacing was sometimes uneven, important moments were cut short and some things might have dragged on for too long, and he story, while tense, could have been more developed. Overall, quick yet an impactful and great read. Would recommend to others.

Bowen

The Perse Carnegians

I really enjoyed twenty-four-seconds from now, by Jason Reynolds. I really enjoyed this book because it felt so detailed and impactful even when it was taken place during 'twenty-four seconds'. The author has written the book with sensitivty, and it makes the book feel real. Aswell as this, Jason Reynolds's book talks about consent, love, growing up during high school, which can make the reader feel like they can relate to the characters in the book. Overall, this book made me feel intrigued and wanting to read more; i highly recommend!

liz

4Shadowers

Twenty Four Seconds From Now is a really good love story book it’s special because not like the normal book ,it’s on the boys’ view of love. If, someone really like love story books, I will absolutely recommend this to them and especially for teenagers and young adults.But, I actually found a bit hard to continue reading the story ,probably because the story doesn’t have a lot of plot twists ,not that catchy for someone that rarely read a love story and doesn’t have any experience with it.But it’s a good Love story book!! If I would give this book out of 10 I will give it 6.5.But as what I said, I will absolutely recommend this book to one of my friends who really like to read love stories.

Christine

Lit Legends of Swavesey

24 Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds is a book about a 17 year old boy called Neon. The book covers his 2 year relationship with his girlfriend Aria and his worries. I didn’t particularly like this book because it had content that I couldn’t relate to. I would recommend this book to 17+ as a good book to read.

Annabelle

The Fitzharrys Shadows

Beautifully captures the feelings of being young, in a relationship and unsure and slightly scared of doing the wrong thing and the right thing. Cleverly working the story from just before the end backwards to the beginning. Warm, thoughtful, believable and kind.

Eb

LaviShadow26

This book failed to keep my complete interest. Despite the context included in the story being very detailed, there was too much. It felt like reading a school textbook on the history of the development of schools. The book would be easier to read in a chronological order.

Chloe

GreatB00ks

I thought that this book was a little boring because I though that Neon was a little unbelievable because he seemed to be scared about an unnecessary amount of things. I thought that Aria was the most believable because she is like a real person and I can imagine people acting like she does in real life. She expresses her emotions in a nice way, whereas neon bottles his all up until the last chapter where he tell Aria what he thinks about having sex. The rest of the book is quite simple and I think that apart from the last and first chapters, everything is fine and appropriate for younger children. The plot is simple and that makes it a bit easy to read. Overall, I liked the book a bit, but I would probably not pick it up again.

Ruby

The Perse Carnegians

I personally really enjoyed this book. I think the themes were really good for the younger generation to acknowledge/explore. The fact that there is so much that is explored through only 20s is revolutionary to me. The theme that stuck out most to me is the theme of masculinity blended in with the theme of pressure. Despite Neon wanting to appear masculine and being pressured by society, he still makes sure that Aria is comfortable. This opens a passage to explore how Neon wants to experience sex as an emotional connection filled with love and warmth despite the pressure he feels. This lets the reader know (especially a younger audience) that you shouldn't see sex as something that is required to be done but rather should be seen as something that is filled with love and should only be done once you and your partner are both ready and in love.

diogo

Elms Shadowing 2026

24 seconds from now is a gripping novel. I often read the first 3 chapters of a book then read the last one, usually when I don’t do this it means the book was bad but this time 24 seconds from now was different. Despite me not reading the last chapters before the 4th it was amazing. With its backwards timeline every new chapter I got on to I felt like I new the future and that this was a piece of the puzzle why it was like this and yet as I read I never felt confused. It was amazing to see how this relationship progressed backwards and I really loved the crafting of the relationship and the absence of drama that you would find in most books. The characters were amazing and I really loved the book

Drupta

HGS Book Club

I loved this book! Jason Reynolds managed to combine social realism and humor perfectly. This book explores the tough subject of relationships and consent in a funny and comfortable way. The story follows two unsure teenagers into the evolution of their relationships during high school; going through the hard moments, the joyful times and the moments of doubt and instability for the characters. This book is absolutely perfect for teenagers as the topics it covers are important and relatable for this age. A must read!

Lena

4Shadowers

Personally I felt this book was okay. The writing style is unique and and the story shows how little things, matter in life. Despite this I felt the story was a little bland and basic and failed to capture me at times.

Aiden

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I'm really looking forward to reading this!

Aadi

Orpington Library Older Teens Group

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds was a very good read due to the fact that it is told in an unchronological order, which resembles the way we naturally look back at memories and thoughts. By being placed inside the main character’s head (thoughts, memories and emotions), reading it feels more immersive and real, making it engaging to read. Overall, this novel is unique because of its uncommon structure.

Louise

4Shadowers

The book "24 seconds from now" by Jason Reynalds is a book which is not only fild with suspense, but rt is also a book where the writer transfers his emotions to the reader in a very unique way. It is the story of a boy called Neon and his girlfreind called Aria. The story takes place during a very short period of time but Reynalds turns it into a whole story talking about Neon's feeling and thought's,and his relationship with Aria. Although it can be awkward at times, it is still a book that I would reccomend to readers whp enjoy a emotional rollercoaster. A preety good read.

Xavier

4Shadowers

i didnt love the writing style but the plot line and ideas were really unique and interesting.

Ivy

Beacon Thursday Book Club

I found the book decent as Neon's situation is relatable for most teenagers. Furthermore, there are a lot of teenagers who struggle with romance with factors such as first hand embarrassment, being shy and underestimating yourself.

Mahad.K

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

24 seconds from now was what I think was the first 14+ book that I actually enjoyed to a great extent. It shows the relationship of Neon and Aria converging at a point of great joy in their lives. This joy for them is being with each other and sex. The book takes you on a journey through Neon's life from meeting Aria in an unexpected way and watching in reverse as the relationship and its plot holes piece together, chapter by chapter. Loved this book 8/10

sam w

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This book was one I somewhat enjoyed. It follows the story of Neon, a 17 year old navigating his relationship with his girlfriend Aria. I think the structure was definitely a good concept, starting from the present and going backwards in intervals, however I think it's quite difficult to execute properly, therefore making it kind of hard to follow and awkward to read. Overall, I think it was a realistic representation of a teenage boy in a healthy, loving relationship but not my favourite read.

Lyra

Vista Academy Littleport

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a gripping , honest young adult novel that stands out for its honesty in teenage relationships . I found the non-traditional structure of this book unique and engaging as it makes the reader more profoundly reflect on the characters choices and thought . I think plenty of teens could relate to this book as it doesn't shy away from difficult aspects of relationships such as consent , peer pressure etc. In conclusion, this bold , thought-provoking novel was a really enjoyable and easy read .

Margherita

4Shadowers

Although 24 seconds from now is quite a mature read for my age, it is now my favourite book. A key aspect, that I enjoyed, used in the book was how the author used modern references to make the story relatable to the age group it was aimed towards. Additionally, I appreciated how the author told the story through the perspective of a boy because typically, romance books are more catered towards female audiences, so by doing this, the author ensures that both male and female audiences can enjoy and relate to the book. And lastly, it was interesting how the author used a different way to tell the story by going backwards in time. 5 STARS.

Rafa

Chiswick Carnegie

I thought the beginning was very intriguing but gradually the books plot began to become more rushed and not as good as the beginning. Overall I would give it a 6/10. But I did think that parts of the book where a bit questionable

Jack

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I found 24 seconds from now to be an unconventional book which approached storytelling uniquely whilst still managing to tell a compelling story. When I started reading the book I thought that telling the story in a reverse chronological order would mean that I would never wonder about the character's future. However, I found that this type of storytelling helps expand the character's backstory in a way that differs from the usual flashback. Overall, a well-structured and written story that covers a wide range of topics

Benjamin R

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Although 'Twenty-four seconds from now' is a remarkable book and very deserving of the Carnegies award, I found it very hard to read. I usually read fantasy books so it did help me step out my comfort zone but I thought the storyline was quite basic and hard to follow. I also didn't like the way the book was set out (present to past).

Issy

Diary of a Wally Kid

I really enjoyed Twenty-Four Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds. I think the way it was written was really interesting and different to other books I’ve read. I liked how it showed the main character’s thoughts because it made it feel more real. I think some parts were a bit confusing, but overall I enjoyed it and I would 100 percentage recommend it to anyone.

Zaynah

LC Best Books

I quite enjoyed this book due to its portrayal of love through the older generation talking and teaching about love and the small things that mean so much when it’s real. Also, I personally associated with the loss of Neon’s grandfather as I lost mine and I think that it portrayed the loss in a realistic way of how in grief you’re thinking about all the little things that they did or said.

Iyesha

Cottingham High School

I really enjoyed reading Twenty-Four Seconds From Now by Jayson Reynolds as it has a humouristic twist to the heartfelt plot. I didn't expect the story to go back in time although the decision to write it like this is very original and thoughtful as it shows a slight change of point of view in the story.

Chloé

4Shadowers

Twenty-four seconds from now is a heartfelt book that dives into the main character's (Neon) daily life. Through a somewhat unconventional beging the writer captivates us immedately by telling us very little about the character in question and proceeds to slowly work his way back in time to introduce us to each of the characters. By learning about Neon's life and family we learn about who he is and how it will affect the crux of the story which is his relationship with is girlfriend Aria. Though this is a love story it is written differently to a classic predictable romance book centering it around our knowledge of the character and his life rather than the couple in question creating a different dynamic to the usual happily ever after story that we have come to expect from a romance.

Alice

4Shadowers

Twenty Four Seconds From Now Twenty Four Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds is a very engaging and unique book. The story is structured in an interesting way where it begins in the present, then moves through memories from the past, and eventually returns to the present again. This narrative style keeps the reader curious and invested in the story. The main characters are Neon and Aria, and the story is told from Neon's perspective, allowing readers to understand his thoughts and emotions more deeply. Overall, the book captures an important moment in the characters’ lives in a thoughtful way.

Devyanshi

4Shadowers

"Twenty-Four Seconds from Now" is a cute, humorous story that is told from finish to start with great intimacy and care. Such, that after reading the entire book, feel like they have experienced a small chunk of Neon's life. Told in a unique conversational manner; scattered with memorable, hilarious moments that add personality and character. In the story, we are immersed in the complicated life of a young adolescent, needing to learn "what is a healthy relationship?" and how he should go about sex. Throughout this story a deep connection is built between the reader and Neon. Although it discusses serious terms, Jason Reynolds has managed to compose a fun short, original novel that stands tall in the vast world of literacy.

Martin

TBGS READERS

This book is a sweet and honest story about two teenagers, who are falling in love. The book captures the excitement and nerves of a first serious relationship, showing how the characters navigate and work through their feelings for each other. It feels very real because it focuses on communication, consent, and the importance of true friendship. It is a fast, heart-warming read that perfectly captures the intensity of being young and finding someone special.

Isabel

Vista Academy Littleport

I really enjoyed this book, I love how the author has written the novel and made it feel realistic (and I would say relatable, but I have never been in this situation, but I feel like for someone who has, it would feel like they can relate to the characters). However, I feel like parts of it tend to drag on, in a way. But, overall, I liked this book a lot!

Alexis

LSST Library Shadowers

I really enjoyed Twenty Four seconds from Now because the way the two characters come up to this moment is pogniant aswell as realistic. Throughout the story we can see how Neon and Aria grow emotionally while trying to face this first experience. Not only this but since the book is writen in reverse we get to learn more about their personnalities. Finally, what I enjoyed most in the book is the way Neon expresses his emotions: his nervousness extends to Aria's needs aswell; the fear of doing something wrong or hurting her. This shows us how he considers the impact of his actions on her and isn't just thinking of his own needs. Which demonstrates how much he actually cares for her.

Sia

4Shadowers

I did not really enjoy this book, mostly because of its main theme of intimate relationships and the build up to the relationship. It was however interesting and funny in places and well written throughout. One interesting bit was that I leant that you use a 'dauber' to cross numbers off a bingo card. Because I didn't enjoy it, I would rate the book 5/10, however the book itself wasn't bad if you ignore my taste.

Edward M

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

24 Seconds From Now is a teenage romance about a boy called Neon and how he is about to have a romantic night with his girlfriend, Aria. He is nervous, and overthinking it in the bathroom. The book rewinds to 24 seconds before he was with his girlfriend then 24 minutes when he rushed over from work, then 24 hours when he was at school, then 24 days, then 24 months, when they first met. I really enjoyed this book as it was funny and well described. Each chapter goes into great detail about Neon's emotions and feelings, also about how his family and friends try to prepare him for this moment with his girlfriend. 9/10.

Sebastian H

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

The book “24 seconds from now” is about a boy called Neon who is nervous to have his first time with his girlfriend Aria. The book takes you back in time through the events that he has had in life and with Aria that have landed him in this situation, along the way covering topics such as grief, friendship and family relationships. I quite enjoyed this book although this isn't a book I would normally go for however I found myself quite enjoying it. My favourite aspect of this book was how well I felt I knew the character and how well I found that the scenes were set almost making you feel like you were part of the story and experiencing it with Neon. The only thing that really did bug me was the use of “youth slang” which was a bit over used and added in unnecessarily at times although I do understand how hard it is to get and use the right slang in the right moments as someone who doesn't use it daily and in their life normally. In conclusion this was a short but sweet book with a romance genre which I would highly recommend to people ages 16-19 as it might be more relatable to them than people my age as people my age aren't really thinking about having sex for the first time any time soon.

Eleanor

Euro Champs

It was a well written book and I really enjoyed the concept of going further and further into the past . It was a nice quick read , it lasted me about 2 days. Overall, a nice book.

Maryam

Carnegie Shadow Judges MEAC

This was a very good and entertaining book. It was written well and had a very good an interesting plot but I think it could go a bit deeper into more personal topics. I read this book within three days which just goes to show how hooked in I was. I think it would be even better if the chapters were a little bit shorter to keep it snappy. I liked how it went back in time throughout.

Phoebe

Carnegie Shadow Judges MEAC

I kept wanting to read more of this book. It's funny and heart warming, and the way the book is structured was interesting to me as well. Fans of realistic romance and emotion would enjoy this!

Jasmine

The BPS Shadows

The book, 24 seconds from now showed me a lot about how teenagers feel when meeting someone. I loved how it showed the different characters back storys by going backwards in time. I also love how it origionates back as it began

Lily

PHS Book Explorers

It was fine. It was sweet and mildly amusing in some places but the story was a little bland for my taste. The structure was interesting but the plot was, albeit heartwarming, boring.

Ilsa

The High Storrs Shadows

I didn’t expect this to feel this gentle. Not soft in a forgettable way. Soft in a steady way. Like something that actually knows what it’s doing and doesn’t need to shout about it. I picked up Twenty-Four Seconds from Now for the Carnegies, ready for something worthy, maybe a bit heavy-handed. Instead—this. A boy in a bathroom. Spiralling. Thinking too much. Twenty-four seconds away from a moment that feels enormous. And everything inside his head unravelling at once. Memories. Advice. Fear. Want. Love. It’s such a simple premise. But it works. Because what Jason Reynolds does here is very deliberate. He strips everything back. No chaos for the sake of it. No forced trauma. No messy, dysfunctional relationship thrown in to make it “real.” And honestly? That absence is what makes this feel so powerful. Neon is just… a good boy. Not perfect. Not polished. Just thoughtful. Nervous. Trying to do the right thing. And Aria? Warm. Present. Real. Someone you understand immediately without needing dramatic backstory. Their relationship isn’t built on tension or games. It’s built on care. Actual care. Which feels almost radical when you’ve read enough YA to know how often we default to dysfunction. And then there are the conversations. His mum. His dad. His sister. They talk to him. Properly. About intimacy, about respect, about what it means to be with someone - not just physically, but emotionally. No shame. No weird moral panic. No awkward dodging. Just… honesty. I kept thinking how rare that is. How necessary that is. This book doesn’t lecture. It doesn’t position itself as “educational.” But quietly, almost without you noticing, it models something better. Be kind. Pay attention. Don’t treat someone like a body. Simple. But not simplistic. The structure could have been a mess. This looping, stream-of-consciousness movement through time - twenty-four months, weeks, days, minutes… It should feel chaotic. But instead it feels like being inside a very specific kind of teenage panic. Fast. Overloaded. A bit funny. A bit overwhelming. Completely believable. And the tone - this is what really got me. It’s clean. Not sanitised. Just… free of cynicism. No edge for the sake of edge. No darkness shoved in to prove a point. Just a story that trusts itself. So wholesome. I loved that. Genuinely. This is exactly the kind of book I want 14+ readers to have access to. Not because it’s “safe.” But because it shows something quietly right. Something thoughtful. Kind. Grounded. And honestly? That feels rarer than it should. 5★

Mrs Naden

Lostock High Readers

This is absolutely not a book I would have normally picked up (being a fantasy and classics type of reader) however I was more than positively surprised. The first chapter was a rocky start (for me personally) but the more I read the more I enjoyed the book. It was extremely realistic and relatable, being a teenager myself of course, and it addressed a lot of issues that affect me or my friends personally. I also enjoyed the fact that it was from a male point of view; it showed the guys could also have issues or insecurities around this topic and struggle to navigate between fact and fiction especially with no prior experience. It was overall extremely well rounded, well written, relatable, realistic, and an extremely pleasant and educational read.

Lena

NDHS Book Group

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now really stuck with me because of how deliberately awkward and honest it makes Neon and Aria feel. Reading it, I kept thinking that their relationship only works because it doesn’t feel neatly polished. Neon’s overthinking and nervous self-awareness feel almost uncomfortable at times, but in a way that’s painfully familiar rather than annoying. Aria, too, isn’t written as an idealised love interest—she feels grounded, real, and sometimes just as uncertain as he is, which made their connection feel earned instead of slightly romanticised to me. What I found I really liked is how the reverse structure sharpens everything you already know as a reader. I felt like I wasn’t discovering what happened so much as discovering why it mattered, and that really made all of the small acts that Neon did for Aria matter more to me– like buying her chicken tenders!

Jackie

The Perse Carnegians

I was pleased at first to read this book, as it is exactly the kind of book I would normally choose to read, and despite its unique structure, which I enjoyed, it didn't really seem particularly different to all the other romance books I've read. It was an enjoyable read though, and I especially liked aria's name.

Arianne

The High Storrs Shadows

I really did not enjoy this book. I found the chemistry between the two to be pretty bland and so were many of the other characters. I also found that not very much happened through the book; there was no real plot. It was just about them meeting. Overall I think that some people may have enjoyed this book but it was really not for me.

Yusuf K

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

This book was disappointing. I found it hard to get into the book, as every time I started to understand what was happening in a scene, either we would time travel, or it would go into hyper detail about a flashback. I also felt that a lot of the information that we were getting was unnecessary/unrelated, and only breaking up the story further. The book didn't really have any storyline, as it was too busy trying to accommodate the complicated structure. I found myself waiting for the story to start for the whole book, as it all felt like an introduction. Not a great read in my opinion.

Mackenzie

Rainbeau Readers

I enjoyed reading this book. The progression of time going backwards rather than forwards made for an interesting read, and the small stories composing each chapter made me want to keep reading. I found the book able to be both funny and serious at the same time. Overall, I am glad I chose this book, and recommend it as a heartwarming coming-of-age story.

Omid

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

24 seconds from now is a teen romance about a boy who wants to spend a romantic night with his girlfriend. The story describes 24 seconds, 24 minutes , 24 hours, 24 weeks and 24 months before that night. Then it rewinds to that present moment. I thought this book was interesting and I would recommend to someone who likes this kind of YA genre.

poppy r

Vista Academy Littleport

I really enjoyed reading this book. I like how it truly explored Neon's emotions and gave him a deep character. My favourite scene was when Neon is at the Bingo hall with his friends on Halloween because it created a great setting with lots of description. I think this book raised awareness of different people's emotions, and so lots of people should read it.

Hazel

Rainbeau Readers

The book showed important life lessons that many young people go through. It highlighted topics that normally wouldn't be found in books. Some topics were very full on and hard to read. Overall the book was a great read for learning the stages leading up for young adults.

Charlotte

PHS Book Explorers

To me, this book was interesting in a really good way. It wasn't really the type of book I would read, but to say that I have read it, it was an absolute brilliant read. The plot and action in this book is very self-explanatory and very understandable. But the way the storyline was laid out didn't really cut it for me, as it has confused me at times, and I was struggling to keep up with it. However, the book to me was such a unique read and a one-of-a-kind!

Afreen

Skipton Shadows

I read the book "24 seconds from now", which I really enjoyed. The story deals with some mature topics, but it was a "closed door" book, which was good. I found the plot interesting, and this was a new point of view in the types of books that I have read, because it was from a male's point of view. Also, I loved the concept of the book travelling back in time through the chapters, as this was something that I had never seen in a book. The book had a good ending too, heartwarming and calm, and it was good from the start to the end. To conclude, this is a great book to read and i would definitely recommend it to all of my friends!

Srishti

HGS Book Club

A difficult topic handled really cleverly and with humour as we trace back how Neon and Aria's relationship developed. It was great to learn more about their characters and family life so that we could see how they had reached this point.

Bibliophile

Angmering Book Lovers 4 Life

24 seconds from now was an okay book. I liked how it explored the relationships of characters although I think it could have written more about Aria and Nee's relationship given that the whole story was about them being about have sexual intercourse but I think that it was quite good. I did think that it was odd that Nee seemed to talk and think the same even 2 years before the start of the story and that the yearbook club was a bit of a random addition. The thing that I liked the most about this book was Nee's relationship with his family and how he was close with his mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather in all different ways which really showed the closeness of the family. I would recommend this book to people who like romance books and probably ages 14-15 and older. Overall I give it a 5/10.

Robin.O

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

'Twenty Four Seconds from Now' was an easy, enjoyable and worthwhile read. The opening felt quite detached as I felt like it didn’t have enough context. But as the story progressed, it became more engaging and interesting. I particularly liked the backwards structure, as it revealed the main characters’ relationship over time in a way that felt honest. The author doesn't just focus on romance but also on friendships, family, and the pressures that come with growing up.

Viktoria

Shelf Indulgence by JCG

backwards book makes brain hurt aaaaaaaaa I'm not really one for romance novels - however this book was, for a story that revolved around teenage sex, quite wholesome, if that's the right word. Jason Reynolds knows how to write a book - he proved he knows how to tug the heartstrings in Long Way Down, a book I quite enjoyed. The book's characters and easy feel felt relaxing, like a coming of age story going in the wrong direction but still working. It didn't necessarily have me hooked, but it wasn't as if it was painful to read through either. It fits the bill and I reckon it may have my vote.

Hanzalah A

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

24 seconds from now is a book about the build up towards two teenagers having sex. The story is told in reverse which was interesting but also confusing. I liked the writing style and how the funny scenes were written. But I found it hard to engage with the book because it was told in reverse and it was about a topic I don't have much interest in because I'm 12 and that's too young to have sex. The ending of the book felt incomplete and slightly underwhelming and I think the book was a bit one dimensional because it only focused on two people and their one goal. I also found some parts of the book repetitive. Overall I think the book is well written and I enjoyed reading it but I personally didn't connect to it. I would recommend it to secondary school children but not younger children because the main theme of the book is sexual intimacy.

Sophie

The Fitzharrys Shadows

I really enjoyed this book . The main character Neon is a nervous teenager, his life is seemingly very unusual and spontaneous and the best thing is his girlfriend, Aria. Personally, I didn't find the book the most relatable to me but I can see why it is to others. What I did really like were the characters and how I could really see them as people or even my friends.

Amelia

Rainbeau Readers

First of all, it's a really nice book and I liked the whole back storyline thing. I liked how it focused on the love bit , which is quite different to other books where usually in this type of storyline, it is always about a teenage pregnancy. It was a nice read. I strongly recommend it 👌

Vongai

Folkestone Academy Readers

'A gem of a book!" Angie Thomas said. Well I beg to differ, Miss Thomas. If this book is truly unknown, I think it should stay that way, for the benefit of everyone. This is certainly not a book I would've picked up. I have a slight disdain for sappy romance novels like these, and this book has solidified this disdain. The storyline was way too bland and felt familiar too, as do most romance novels. Nothing much really happened, and we were told a lot about things not crucial to the storyline. Some characters were interesting figures and added to the story, but others I felt were slightly unnecessary. For example, some of the members of the yearbook club were so unmemorable and added next to nothing to the storyline, so now, only a day after reading, cannot even remember their names. I did enjoy how Reynolds wrote the story ƨbɿɒwʞɔɒd, but apart from his memorable writing style and (some) interesting characters, I have nothing else positive to say on the book. I really had to rack my brain just thinking of 2 reasons why the book was half-decent. Judy Blume on the back cover says 'Jason Reynolds has done it again! But in a totally new way... Fresh from start to finish.' Well, Blume was correct on the latter, but the bar must be pretty low to describe the book as another hit, which I know he full well is not, as the 1 New York Times Bestselling Author mark is plastered upon the front of the book. 3/10

William B

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Amazingly written really keeps you engaged going back and forth in time. I found that I couldn’t stop turning the pages. As soon as I finished it the first thing I did was look for a sequel that’s how good it is. Only complaints are that I felt the last few pages were a bit rushed and it could have carried on for longer with more detail and I’m a bit confused about what their three words actually are I think I know but the last page has me slightly confused.

Amelie

FAB(C)

This book by Jason Reynolds was a fabulous read. It contains a perfect blend of humour and meaningful writing with a unique form of story-telling as the events unfold at different points in time such as 24 minutes earlier or 24 days earlier. This creates a fascinating atmosphere which was very enticing and makes it difficult to put the book down! The main character, Neon, is a 17-year-old boy who is a realistic and relatable character for many teenage readers alike. Throughout the book, we learn more about Neon and how he may try to appear confident but carries anxieties about his relationship with his girlfriend, Aria. His family attempts to help him with his struggles; his mother offers her advice on romance over a meal and his grandma shares humorous personal accounts to ease his nerves. The plot is a simple yet exciting one which sparks readers’ curiosity with each turn of a page.

Iris

Shelf Indulgence by JCG

I loved how Reynolds made his book very different compared to other authors, because he started at one time and went back every 24 seconds, and I loved it!!! I give this book 5 out of 5 for its uniqueness and unusualness!!! I recommend this book to people who like romance, friendship and going back in time!

Charlotte

Euro Champs

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now is a love story about a young man named Neon who is trying to muster up the courage to have sexual intercourse with his girlfriend, Aria. The book goes from when he is freaking out in the bathroom to twenty-four seconds from that to minutes then hours then days and so on to twenty-four months from that and then back to now when he should be in bed with his girlfriend. The book is about love, family and relationships. I would give it a 7/10 as it was a good book and I liked how it went back in time but the writing style was inconsistent.

Sylvan C

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I felt it got better as it went on, however the writing wasn’t really my style.

Elly

Rad readers

I think this book is so perfectly worded on the topic it's describing. It has a gentle and heartfelt feel to it and a sweet and gentle pace making it such a lovely read.

Charlotte

St Kaths

Gives a quite realistic view of what people feel before their first time, and how it's not as perfect and confident as it is in films or other books, while also showing how love can start from the most unexpected encounters. A good read to understand what it can be like.

Julia

Reepham Reads

Twenty Four Seconds from Now is a fun, romantic book that explores the relationship between Neon and his girlfriend Aria. I enjoyed this book a lot as it incorporates heartfelt themes and humour, for example when Neon gets advice from his family members about his anxieties in his relationship, it's fun to see how they offer support in their own unique yet loving ways. I particularly liked the structure and ending of the book as the non-chronological order really helped me to get a sense of Neon's character development and how he faces his fears and grows as a person. I don't think I would change anything about this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it!

Olivia

Skipton Shadows

Whilst the book has a realistic storyline and characters , I found the main concept contentious (U16 school) and was not a fan of the backwards structure. Also, sometimes the writing was in quite a cultural style, not just the spoken words, but other times written in 'The Queen's' english. The book/story never found its groove for me. It would have been a better read if written in the order occurred as would have been a clearer story and not felt like abstract bits of someone's life. Not a winner for me.

Debbie

Ousedale Olney

I really liked this book. I initially thought it could be quite shallow, but once I was immersed in the story I saw such a beautiful reflection on relationships, be that romantic, familial or platonic. The book’s backwards structure keeps the reader gripped during your increasingly intimate connections to the characters. Normally I’m not a fan of solely romantic books, but the themes explored around the central plot allowed for a complex description of teenage life, futures and friendships. Reynold’s postscript in the authors note also hit hard for me, as I am ashamed I had never fully realised that racism could present this way: Black boys deserve love stories too.

Eve

St Kaths

I think that this is a brilliant book, with a good constant storyline outlining the thoughts and ideas of a teenage boys life. I really liked how Neon's family are very tight knit and care for him as his journey with Aria proceeds. I loved how there is always examples of friendship throughout the book showing that there is always someone to talk with and express feelings. Finally I enjoyed the overall idea in how he is taking us back step by step through Arias and Neon's relationship showing the ups, the downs and just simply how it all begin. I would really recommend this book to anyone really who is mature enough to understand certain language.

Seb O

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now was an interesting book. The storyline was there but not quite enough for me to say the book was incredible to be honest. I found the grammar and writing style to be inconsistent which really bothered me and I struggled to keep engaged. Overall, it wasn't a terrible book, it was just unable to meet my expectations disappointingly.

Libby

Vista Academy Littleport

In my opinion '24 seconds from now' was interesting. The way the timeline went back so you can see how the events came to play knowing what would eventually happen was different but still enjoyable. The book follows the protagonist, Neon, and his girlfriend Aria, and the lead up to his 'first time', learning about intimacy and what not to do. I was not sure that the yearbook aspect was necessary to the plot of the story, as he could have been meeting with his friends for any other reason or could have only mentioned Dodie at all, as he was the only character who actually helped the theme of the book, showing societal norms of how boys should view sex. I believe that this book would be useful for YA readers as it is maybe too mature for younger readers but pointless for older readers. Overall, it was not a book that I would usually read but a more or less enjoyable read nonetheless. 7/10

Elijah

Vista Academy Littleport

Twenty-four seconds from now is was a surprisingly enjoyable book. As if writing a book wasn't hard enough, Jason Reynolds decided to write the book basically backwards, with little stories from each occasion. On top of that, all 239 pages were effectively about one moment, yet the book still worked without getting boring. The consistency of the number 24 was arbitrary, but it gave a nice ring to why each time section was chosen. The best bit in my opinion was the characterisation, mainly of Neon and Aria. Romance novels are not my preference but this one was delivered well with an open but not too open ending.

Aidan

Ermysted’s Carnegie Shadowing Group

I liked that it was quick to read because it was in verse/poetry form. The story didn't hook me in.

Laura

HGCSC Library