Now That We're Adults by Lynn Almengor

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Where do I begin?

When I read the blurb for this book a few months ago I had the feeling that this would be one of those unputdownable reads; the kind of book that stays with you long after the last page is turned.

I began reading with the highest of expectations and Now That We’re Adults did not disappoint!! I love every aspect of this book so there will be nothing negative in this review. The characters in this book were sweet, lovable, fallible and entirely human. They were real. The dialogue was authentic; close your eyes and you can imagine any number of people you know saying the same things in the same situations. Everything about this cast of characters is relatable. All of us know people just like Wade or Ian or Kat or Eleanor and that’s why this book works; it’s like reading about old friends.

And the core of this book is an examination of the friendships that sustain us all. Why do they work? Why do they not? Through any number of situations within these pages (I won’t spoil any of them here) it’s the dynamic of the various relationships that propels the narrative and keeps the reader furiously turning those pages. This is that moment in time right after college when we all ask ourselves “Now what?”

This is life in all of its nuanced beauty. Lynn Almengor shows us the multitude of emotions involved without ever having to resort to telling us about them. This is an artist at the height of their craft. In my opinion, Lynn Almengor has written a masterpiece of fiction with this novel. The fact that this is her debut novel is astounding—writers are not supposed to be this good the first time out.

Like the greatest of fiction, Now That We’re Adults will make you run the gamut of emotions from start to finish and leave you thinking long after you’re done. Superlatives fail to adequately capture the impact of this book. The writing is amazing. The story is phenomenal. The characters are incredible. This is a MUST READ.

Definitely one of the best books I’ve read all year. Buy it and you won’t be disappointed as you will hold in your hands the promise of what writing can be.

5 stars because it won’t let me give it 10 stars.



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