For Now

by Gayle Friesen

Jes desperately needs something solid to hold onto. In Losing Forever, she learned to accept the inevitability of change. But the change is moving at a heartbreaking pace and her world shifts by the day. The date with boy-next-door Sam shows that even the most awkward moment can always get more awkward. At home, Jes's stepsister, the beautiful and seemingly well-adjusted Angela, is clearly a favorite. When Jes's mother announces she is pregnant and the new baby will need a bedroom, one thing's certain -- it won't be Angela who moves. There's lots of uncertainty in Jes's life, but the biggest uncertainty of all is love. Everyone has a different opinion on it. Jes's teacher says that love is about reuniting what was once divided -- this from a guy who's going through a divorce. If anything's for sure, it's that love is never predictable, always confusing and may hurt sometimes. But, as Jes begins to see, no one ever gives up on it.

Genres: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary

248 pages, Paperback

First published August 10, 2007

About the author

Gayle Friesen lives in Delta, British Columbia.

Reviews

[Suzanne Montigny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't think Ms. Friesen could top Losing Forever because sequels tend to be a bit of a disappointment, but she exceeded it, creating a fascinating story of a teenaged girl still struggling with change within a blended family. The characters were believable, though sometimes the events in the story got a little too close for comfort. However, Ms. Friesen knows when to draw the line. I loved the humour! Everything from Jes' disastrous date with Sam to the dog poop. I chuckled many times throughout the story. I have only have one more of Ms. Friesen's books to read which brings me to the question: When is her next book coming out? I love her novels because they are such a breath of fresh air in today's world of ... well, you know what I mean.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Why are you not going? That was your big moment to go sprinting through the woods." - Dell

My favourite part will always be after her and Dell talk and she finally gets the nerve to kiss Sam. in every book with romance i always wait for the character's epic realization of loving one another, and this one did not disappoint! i read it 4 years ago and i still remember that chapter.

[Denise Spicer]

I picked this up because the author was from B.C. but didn’t realize it was a sequel. I did not actually read. Looks like it covers teen angst and “blended” families.

[Kristin Hermanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Mikayla Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

For Now is a fiction book about a girl named Jes who struggles to find stability in her life with adjusting to the new "blended family" idea. Her almost forty-year old therapist mother just "surprised" her with the news of expecting. Jes may now have to share a room with her gorgeous, know-it-all, bestfriend's boyfriend stealing stepsister to make room for the new baby. She has to figure out if she should take a shot at a relationship with her longtime best friend Sam, who she recently caught feelings for. Jes also think she might like ker teacher Mr. Truelove, who is not as together as he seems. Add on the struggle of trying together other best friend Dell to realize that her boyfriend is not good for her. By the way, she is still adjusting to her parents' divorce. Jes has a hard time trying to navigate her way through life.

Although this book contains many situations that would would catch any readers' attention, this is not as predictable as I expected. I wish the author could have used more imagery and details to give the readers clarity about what was going on, when it was going on. I would rate this book a three out of five because although it had a very interesting plot, a little more detail would have help execute the book. This was a good book, and I would recommend it to many.

[Niral · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gayle Friesen you are an amazing writer, wow.

For now written by Gayle Friesen is a novel mainly based on a young girl, Jes' life while her parents went through a divorce. She had just recently moved into a home where her new step-father and step-sister would be living with them. Jes never had an easy time adjusting to everything, it was all happening pretty quick. Angela, who is her step-sister is a very pretty, flexible, well-rounded blonde girl. That made Jes kind of jealous, and that's probably why she hated her. The hatred faded throughout the book due to various times the two of them went through. The novel also talked about her love life with her best friend Sam, this little thing she had going on with her English teacher, her best friend Dell, and Jes' many psychological views of life.

I picked up this book for no reason at all. I needed a book to read and had nothing in mind so I picked up a random book off the shelf. Sometimes that is a good way to find a book, I'm speaking from experience. The book didn't disappoint me.

I finished this book because the plot was interesting. There was just enough going on to make me want to keep reading, and not get confused. While reading this book I had many theories, like at one moment I thought she was lesbian for her step-sister, weird thought I know. Then at another point I thought it would turn into a pretty little liar story where she'd fall in love with the English teacher, woops. I needed to see whether my theories would turn out like I thought or not!

I would recommend this book to Fiona because of the books she reads. She enjoys drama filled books and romance. Therefore this would be perfect for her to read. Also, if you have read any other Gayle Friesen books like Janey's girl or The Isabel factor, and you are a fan of her then you would enjoy reading this book.

[Melissa Dwyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally rated G by Terri Squeglia
Although this book is a sequel to 'Losing Forever', you can thoroughly enjoy 'For Now' even if you have not read the previous book. Jes who is 15, lives in a blended family with her mom's new husband Cal and her new step-sister Angela. Jes's life has become very complicated. She is dealing with her feelings towards her childhood friend Sam, her best friend's infatuation with a not so very nice boyfriend, her perfect step-sister, and to top it off...her mom and stepdad announce that they are going to have a baby. Throughout all the issues that come up, Jes manages to keep her off beat sense of humor. An easy read about issues that face so many of our students today.

[Kathy Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jes' sense of humor blends sharp wit, sarcasm, ridicule and reassurance. Blending families can be a rough deal and Friesen presents it with authenticity if a slightly Hollywood ending. quick read, consistent voice. Wouldn't make top 10, but might make top 20. YAY (KDL)

http://thumbsupaward.blogspot.com/sea...

[LibraryLaur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for SLJ -- really enjoyed it, in spite of the unappealing cover.

[jesse]

dropped: 29 dec, 2012

[Monica]

http://www.monniblog.com/2008/09/for-...

[Shahla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much that I hesitated reading it to the end.

[Jacquie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great young adult lit. Witty and current.

[Jc · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the shortlisted titles for the CLA Young Adult Book Award in 2008.

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has one of the worst covers I have ever seen.

[LauRena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best family drama ever!