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Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid is a book that I had high hopes for. As a big fan and supporter of Adi Alsaid, I was really hoping that it was going to be just as epic as Let’s Get Lost. The story line is actually really unique and it is definitely a fun summer read. Alsaid certainly develops his characters to a tee, however the book contains far too many clichés and is very predictable.
Title: Never Always SometimesAuthor: Adi Alsaid
Also by this author: Let's Get Lost
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: August 4, 2015
Rating:
Best friends Dave and Julia were determined to never be cliché high school kids—the ones who sit at the same lunch table every day, dissecting the drama from homeroom and plotting their campaigns for prom king and queen. They even wrote their own Never List of everything they vowed they'd never, ever do in high school.Some of the rules have been easy to follow, like #5, never die your hair a color of the rainbow, or #7, never hook up with a teacher. But Dave has a secret: he's broken rule #8, never pine silently after someone for the entirety of high school. It's either that or break rule #10, never date your best friend. Dave has loved Julia for as long as he can remember.Julia is beautiful, wild and impetuous. So when she suggests they do every Never on the list, Dave is happy to play along. He even dyes his hair an unfortunate shade of green. It starts as a joke, but then a funny thing happens: Dave and Julia discover that by skipping the clichés, they've actually been missing out on high school. And maybe even on love.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Never Always Sometimes by ADI ALSAID
❀ Well-Developed Characters
Despite the predictability, Never Always Sometimes has characters that are very well developed. Adi Alsaid has captured the feeling of being a teenager perfectly. All of his characters are very realistic and relatable. Actually, these characters helped the book become a little less cliché and stopped me from putting the book down.
❀ Too Many Clichés
Never Always Sometimes has too many clichés for my taste. I do understand that the whole point of the book is characters doing clichés, but after so many, it gets a little old. It’s like the whole book is a giant cliché, even the parts that don’t include the list of Nevers. Having said this, the concept of this book is really interesting, but does end up becoming tiresome.
❀ Predictable Plot
The plot of Never Always Sometimes is very predictable. The whole book is basically laid out in the first chapter, where the list is revealed. The reader can follow along as the main characters complete each task. The book becomes more predictable as it progresses and I found myself to be bored while reading. Personally, I prefer plot twists and surprises when I am reading.
❀ Laid Back Book
Never Always Sometimes by Adi Alsaid did not connect as well with me due to the numerous clichés and its predictability. I would recommend this book to those looking for a more laid back and fun book to read.
About Adi Alsaid
Adi Alsaid was born and raised in Mexico City, where he now lives, writes, and spills hot sauce on things. He's the author of several YA novels including LET'S GET LOST, NEVER ALWAYS SOMETIMES, and NORTH OF HAPPY.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
This is sad to hear – I feel like if a book has to many cliches, I don’t even see the point of reading it. I loved Let’s Get Lost, so I was looking forward to reading his next book… Now I’m considering not.
It really pained me to write this review! I love Adi so much. I just couldn’t get past all of those clichés….
No I totally feel that. It’s like, “I wanted to like you so much, why did you have to be this way?!” 😛
I have seen a lot of really negative things about this one. I am very picky about my contemporaries, and while I normally don’t let reviews steer me away from a book, with contemporaries it happens a little more.
This book sounds good! I’m going to add it to my TBR list!
Sounds like a fun summer read!
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