Twenty-Four Seconds From Now – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Realistic, romantic, authentic, teenage, friendship.
YA book title: Twenty-Four Seconds From Now.
YA author: Jason Reynolds.
Genre: Modern romance.
Published by: Faber.
ISBN: 9780571390687.
Recommended for children aged: 15+ year-olds.
First published: Paperback October 2024.
This children’s book is ideal for: Mature readers in KS4.
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Our review:
Black boys deserve love stories too.
In twenty-four seconds, seventeen-year-old Neon and his girlfriend Aria are meant to have sex for the first time. They’ve been together for two years. They love each other and are certain that this is what they both want. Unfortunately for Neon, he’s currently hiding in the bathroom, consumed by doubts and thoughts of ‘what if’.
Nerves got some nerve showing up. Tonight of all nights.
Twenty-four minutes earlier Neon brought fried chicken over to Aria’s. Twenty-four hours earlier he decided that his big sister was a far more reliable source of romantic advice than his likely-bragging mates.
Rewinding even further to twenty-four days, weeks and months earlier, Neon flashes back to key moments in his relationship with Aria as he struggles to put aside his worries and trust in the power of genuine first love.
Tonight ain’t for fear… Tonight is for us.
Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is described as a refreshingly real love story and it is this genuine authenticity that will appeal to young adult readers. Teen romances predominantly feature female protagonists, so Neon’s open and honest narration makes for a welcome change.
The prose has a stream-of-consciousness feel, allowing the reader unfiltered access into Neon’s life and thoughts. The flash-backs and reverse timeline narration give a unique perspective into Neon and Aria’s romance, which is as much about friendship and self-belief as it is about physical attraction.
“The way I see it, to love me the way I love to be loved is true love.”
Author Jason Reynolds is a multi-award-winning poet and fiction writer whose books have sold over 9 million copies worldwide. He regularly tops the New York Times Bestseller List and in 2021 he won the YOTO Carnegie Medal with Look Both Ways.
Twenty-Four Seconds From Now’s focus on first-time sex has naturally led to comparisons with Judy Blume’s groundbreaking 1975 novel Forever, and Blume herself has openly praised the book. While Forever was seen as shocking at the time for its unflinching portrayal of teenage sex, Twenty-Four Seconds From Now may ironically be seen as distinct for its emphasis on genuine love and respect for women. Neon and Aria are in love and sex is a way to celebrate that. However, unlike in many romances, sex is not portrayed as the ultimate goal of the relationship.
Although the book begins and ends with Neon’s thoughts on sex, the story itself is very much about love – for family, friends and partners. Although the subject matter and frank language make it more suitable for an older readership, there is very little explicit content and the sex itself is not described.
Twenty-Four Seconds From Now is a powerful and touching modern-day romance that will inspire older readers to trust their instincts and wait until they find ‘the one’. It will appeal to fans of Judy Blume and Kwame Alexander.
Many thanks to Faber for the review copy.
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If you like Twenty-Four Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds you might also like: our reviews of Ancient Love Stories by Emily Hauser, I Loved You In Another Life by David Arnold, Sing If You Can’t Dance by Alexia Casale and Unraveller by Frances Hardinge.
Browse our Year 10 book list.
