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Right Here, Right Now

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From Indies Introduce Pick author Shannon Dunlap comes a story of love, friendship, and possibility for fans of  You’ve Reached Sam .

Worlds turn. Particles spin. Love endures.
 
There are infinite universes in which Elise never dies. Her best friend, Anna, never has to mourn her or choose between the weight of her grief and the weight of her ambition. Her cousin, Liam, never has to lose another loved one or fight to find purpose in a life that already doesn’t feel like his own. 
 
But Liam and Anna do not get to choose the universe in which they live. Across multiple worlds, their paths collide as they wrestle with what it takes to save someone else and how to face love and loss on a quantum scale.
 
This moving, lyrical novel introduces two teens on the cusp of finding out who they are while finding each other again and again.
 

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 2024

7 people are currently reading
3506 people want to read

About the author

Shannon Dunlap

3 books31 followers

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for Shannon  Miz.
1,506 reviews1,079 followers
April 5, 2024
4.5*

This one went ahead and provided all the feels! I loved the concept from the start: two universes, one in which Anna's bestie and Liam's cousin Elise dies, one in which she does not. Actually- there are probably many where all kinds of things happen, but these are the two diverging universes we find our main characters in. Such a great concept, and the author managed to really do it justice without it feeling overly complicated, which was impressive for me!

Certainly, it is thought provoking. You can't help but wonder how you'd be different if this thing hadn't happened, or that one thing went differently. In this case, it's a big thing- Elise's whole life. But there are other smaller differences too, which are fun to work out. Ultimately though, the story is about Liam and Anna, and who they are at their cores, in any universe. But their paths cross in both universes, and because of their connections to Elise. She is important in their lives, regardless of whether hers ends. And they still have to grow, and learn, and discover themselves, with or without Elise, and regardless of what they may mean to each other.

Bottom Line: It's such a heartfelt novel full of amazing character development and a very well-constructed world. It's also one I won't soon forget.

You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Profile Image for Brooke Hoag.
165 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2024
This book had a lot of various heartbreak and topics within that make you think. In all of that, there was a wonderful story full of life, love, and hard choices. It was a good book to listen to.
Profile Image for Michaela.
284 reviews12 followers
March 29, 2024
This isn’t a book that you can finish reading and not think about again. This is a book that will stick with you long after you’re finished. You’ll send your friends long voice memos and you’ll ask other people to read it so you can discuss it together.

I don’t quite know what I think about Right Here, Right Now. Sometimes, I was frustrated with all of the characters and at other times I loved them all dearly. This is ironic (and I’m sure intentional) considering this book is about infinite parallel universes. Anna and Liam are messy and they make plenty of mistakes. These characters aren’t polished, but I think that’s the point because grief rarely is. For the emotional rollercoaster this story sent me on, the last fifteen pages make it all worth it. Trust me.

If you found the final scene of La La Land to be simultaneously frustrating and beautiful, then this is the book for you.

I received a physical ARC of this title from the publisher for promotional purposes. #lbyrpartner
Profile Image for hendersweet.
224 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2025
I picked this up out of a little free library. I didn’t realize it was YA until I started it.
So, four stars for its genre but 3 stars because I prefer to avoid teenage angst.
6 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2024
Finally, a YA adult that appeals to my 40something tastes, too. This is a love story at its heart, but the context is unique and even a bit heady -- quantum physics, anyone? -- and Dunlap truly captures the spirit of music-making with her prose. I was taken back to my days of high school choir practices, band rehearsals, and teenage relationships. A time when everything mattered so, so much, which Dunlap articulates beautifully. This book blows me away.
Profile Image for Olivia.
3,759 reviews99 followers
April 2, 2024
RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW is an emotional YA contemporary romance about loss, grief, and love. The story is based on the theory of multiverses and the way that a single moment in time can split into different possibilities. In this story, Elise is driving a car in a rush and has a split second to make a decision with an oncoming garbage truck. She speeds up, so the possibilities branch to the left and to the right, where she makes it around the other car in time - or she doesn't. The story then follows Anna, her best friend, and Liam, her cousin, in the aftermath of both possibilities.

This was quite an emotional read about grief, loss, and the people left behind. While the story is predicated on what happened to Elise, Anna and Liam are themselves particles seemingly drawn together in endless patterns. The outcome is anything but certain, especially with the way they have coped with loss, life, and the decisions they have had to make. Anna and Liam often feel like two sides of a coin with the parallels between them, and as such, their interactions felt explosive in both possibilities.

The premise of the story was endlessly intriguing, and one that anyone who has suffered loss will understand - the what if. The paths that life takes are constantly altered by chance branches in life - small things as well as big things. While this is a big event, the possibilities sometimes feel far apart and other times, close together, with a feeling that people who are meant to be in your life will be. Themes around the weight of expectations, coping with grief/loss, friendship, caution vs taking chances, and love were all really thought-provoking.

As a small thing, the two possibilities are denoted by whether they are the option to the left or right at the top of each chapter. They sometimes could become easy to jumble in my mind, but I think it would work best if you read it in relatively fewer sittings. They were set apart by what happened with Elise, so it was typically readily apparent which possibility the reader is in. The ending introduces more uncertainty and will work best for readers who want a story that will keep you thinking and theorizing after the last page is turned.

Overall, RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW is a moving story of grief, possibilities, and all the chances and choices in life. Recommend for readers looking for something surprising and emotional. Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Jason L..
2 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2024
This book really moved me despite the fact that I’m in my 40’s. I think that is because the growth and change we see in these young characters feel authentic, but also compelling to me as an adult. It does a great justice to who young people truly are, and the themes they wrestle with – not just quantum physics but loss, self-sabotage, resentment, etc. – are not only relatable from my vantage point but compelling to read as rendered through these young people. The heartache and happiness of living is rendered there in such sharp and empathetic detail—these loves, these losses, they are common, they are extraordinary: this is what living is. It is a book that is compassionate for everyone. Great book. Highly recommended.
608 reviews13 followers
April 3, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Right Here, Right Now" by Shannon Dunlap is an absolutely beautiful book that focuses on the infinite possibilities of the universe. More specifically, Dunlap created an emotionally charged YA contemporary romance that delves into themes of loss, grief, and love with characters that are both fully developed and flawed in some way, making them incredibly realistic in their depictions and their actions. Set against the backdrop of the theory of multiverses, the story follows Anna and Liam as they navigate the aftermath of a life-altering event that splits their reality into multiple possibilities.

The characters in this book are raw and flawed, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The characters felt like realistic teenagers, and while there were times where their thoughts/actions were naïve, I fell in love with them due to these flaws as I found myself relating to the characters. Anna and Liam grapple with their grief and trauma while trying to find solace in their music and their rekindled relationship. Their journey and growth is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, drawing you into a story filled with sensitivity and powerful emotions.

Dunlap's narrative structure, alternating between different versions of reality and perspectives, adds layers of complexity to the story. I didn’t know exactly how this book would work with the multiverses, but the way that Dunlap expertly crafted the story immediately drew me in. Normally, multiverses or alternative realities would sometimes confuse me as I would find it difficult to keep track of everything, but Dunlap laid everything out perfectly, and I found myself immediately drawn into the story. I was absolutely captivated by the structure’s thought-provoking nature, though some may still struggle a bit as there is still a lot going on. This is definitely not a book you want to speed through if you want to keep track of everything and fully understand the plot. The exploration of big questions about reality, fate, and the nature of love will keep you thinking about this book long after you’ve finished.

Overall, "Right Here, Right Now" is a moving and beautifully written novel that will resonate with readers who enjoy stories about the complexities of relationships and the uncertainties of life. I definitely can’t wait to read more from Dunlap.
Profile Image for Dea Farrell.
847 reviews12 followers
April 9, 2024
There's a theory about multiple universe's. Three teenagers experience this when Elise is driving one day, and she passes a car and comes head-on with a garbage truck. Her split decision at that moment throws Elise, Anna, and Liam onto a course of two multiverses. One where Elise makes it around the car in time and one where she doesn't. In one universe, Anna and Liam both have to mourn the loss of Elise. In another, Anna, Liam, and Elise navigate a world where she survives. But in all universes, Anna and Liam struggle to figure out who they are, what they want, and find each other other again and again.

Speechless. I'm completely speechless, moved, and on the verge of tears after reading the very last pages of Right Here, Right Now. This was such an emotional novel where the two MCs face loss, grief, and the pressures of performing to parental expectations. In the two multiverses Anna and Liam are living in, they each handle these themes in very different ways. While they are the same Anna and Liam, their nuances are a bit different. As readers, we experience the heartache, depression, anxiety, and happiness these characters are going through because the author does such a great job writing about the character's feelings in such great detail. This is a book that will resonate with me for a long time.

Favorite Quote: "Being someone's soulmate doesn't mean that their like you. It means that they're your perfect counterpart, the harmony that rises up to meet the melody you didn't even know you were playing. When I'm touching her, I can feel and hear the whole of the symphony."
Profile Image for Lynndell.
1,716 reviews1 follower
May 14, 2024
Alternate universe storyline is food for thought!

Anna and Elise have been friends since they were very young. Now in high school, Elise annoys Anna because of her carelessness while Anna struggles to work hard to become a violinist. Liam is Elise’s cousin and this is the story that takes place in alternate universes involving these three young adults. Elise’s decision of whether or not to pass a vehicle in a sketchy situation splits the story into two parts; one where Elise lives and one where she doesn’t. Within these two universes, Liam and Anna deal with their grief over losing Elise or try to navigate life with Elise. The struggles of growing up and day to day life are portrayed well and with realistic developments; this story is food for thought.

Likes/dislikes: The alternate universe storyline stretched my brain and I enjoyed having to reset every chapter change before I could start reading with focus. Anna is a strong character. The character development is done well.
Mature content: PG-13 for drugs and smoking.
Language: R for 52 swears and 17 f-words.
Violence: PG for death.
Ethnicity: falls to white.
Profile Image for Grace Kohl.
48 reviews
June 27, 2024
Right Here, Right Now explores the age old question of "what if?" through the lens of teens in two different universes discovering who they are to each other and themselves in the wake of grief, self discovery, friendship and first loves.

I absolutely fell in love with the concept of following the same two characters in two different universes, with each universe told from the other character's POV. The difference between the two universes is the death of Elise- our FMC's best friend and MMC's cousin. Regardless of the universe, our main character's lives cross and twirl and intersect in various ways.

Both main characters, Anna and Liam, were imperfect, messy and utterly teenage. This brought me right back to high school in both the best and worst ways. The angst was palpable; the awkward moments were so real; the sense of self just starting to take shape in the realest sense. These characters are real and flawed and beautiful and messy- a fact I adore and appreciate.

There were moments that dragged a bit, but it really was a heartbreaking, beautiful, lovely story.

A huge thank you to Shannon Dunlap, Little Brown Books and NetGalley for the ARC!
Profile Image for Jaye Berry.
1,972 reviews134 followers
Read
July 5, 2024
The concept of this was so fascinating- there are infinite universes and in one, Anna's friend and Liam's cousin Elise dies but in another, she doesn't. It's told in alternating chapters of when the universe branched right or left, dead or alive Elise.

But most of all it's about lose and grief and the connection between Anna and Liam.

Very emotional book I must say, but also felt really short. I understand the switching chapters between universes of what if but then the beginning and end had 3rd person pov chapters and I'm very confused as to why, when the rest of the book was in 1st.

I think my issue is that I have read a book with a very similar concept that just worked better for me. Maybe In Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorite books and I just feel like this one didn't do as many callbacks between the different universes. It feels like in this book you could just disregard one side of it and you would still end up in the same place.

That last chapter where it went through multiple possibilities and moments about when they met each other again and again in different universes was the best part of the book like damn, I moved.😭
Profile Image for Angela.
88 reviews2 followers
June 10, 2024
Right Here, Right Now by Shannon Dunlap is a breathtaking exploration of love, loss, and the infinite possibilities of existence. The novel follows Anna and Liam, who navigate multiple universes, each shaped by the pivotal moments surrounding Elise's life and death.

Shannon's writing is both poetic and profound, seamlessly blending science fiction with a heartfelt examination of the human experience. The characters, Anna and Liam, are beautifully developed, and their journey through grief, ambition, and self-discovery is both relatable and empowering.

The concept of infinite universes adds a unique and poignant layer to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the impact of choices on the course of one's life. The lyrical prose paints vivid images of various worlds, creating a captivating and thought-provoking reading experience.

Right Here, Right Now is not just a novel; it's a meditation on the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring nature of love. Shannon's storytelling prowess makes this book a compelling and emotionally resonant read, highly recommended for those seeking a captivating exploration of the complexities of existence.

A special thank you to NetGalley & Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for gifting me the ARC of this amazing book!!!
Profile Image for Jessica Brown.
585 reviews7 followers
June 20, 2024
With one decision, one action, one misstep, the trajectory of life can shift. But in the Many Worlds Theory, there are infinite times and places and where that one little thing doesn't happen and life doesn't shift, and Liam and Anna find each other in different ways based on whether their cousin and friend (respectively) dies or not.
This is ultimately a story of grief as in one world, Anna and Liam bond over their shared grief of Elise's death and Liam's earlier loss of his brother. In another, Anna has a crush on Liam that goes unreciprocated as she tries to stop Elise from a downward spiral.
This book sounds like exactly something I would love, but I just didn't. I couldn't care for any of the characters – Liam is an ass in every world and I don't connect with Anna at all. Liam doesn't even feel like the same person from one world to the next, but maybe that's the point? That even the smallest thing can shift us so completely in one way or another. It's not a bad story, it just lacked something that I can't quite put my finger on.
Profile Image for Blaise Batson.
146 reviews
December 1, 2024
2.5, probably. Listen it wasn’t bad. But it wasn’t good. I really liked the premise and I enjoyed the switch between the worlds and the characters’ perspectives. However, I did not really like the characters. Anna was fine. Juvenile, but fine. Liam was blehhh. I get the use of a-hole teenage characters. It’s real. I knew people like this. But whyyyy did people like him despite this??? The whole of Anna and Liam’s relationship makes so little sense to me. They don’t have anything in common but music. They start dating with basically no conversations. I don’t even see chemistry with them, except that they both keep talking about how hot the other one is. Is this how teen relationships are? Is that why I never had one? Ugh. I did actually enjoy the exploration of different worlds at the end, though. The one that got me was the one with Julian as the boss and Liam never existing.
Profile Image for Marissa.
180 reviews
March 27, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley & Little, Brown Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved this book! There were points where I couldn't make myself put the book down. The chronology and perspectives in this book were super interesting. Sometimes, it was hard to follow, but that may have been a personal issue rather than a problem with the actual book.
It was interesting, seeing these two people come back together through their grief and trauma, and to create something beautiful out of it. One thing I really liked about the two main characters was that they were flawed. They were realistic. They were working through their own problems while working on their music and their relationship.
As a musician and a romance lover, I really liked this book. It was engaging, both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and overall just a really beautiful story about possibilities, life, and love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1 review4 followers
March 23, 2024
I can’t stop thinking about this book. Beyond being a story of young, complicated love, it deals with mortality, fate, and the nature of the universe. Each chapter alternates telling from the other character’s perspective, from a different version of reality. It left me imagining what the other versions must be thinking and feeling. This makes it hard to put down. Great if you are interested in big questions about reality and love and whether we are fated to have certain people in our lives. It’s very readable and the interwoven tale of alternate realities will make you think and you can’t help but root for these endearing yet flawed characters.
Profile Image for Jame_EReader.
1,454 reviews1 follower
July 4, 2024
👦🏻reviews: I really enjoyed this one. I picked this on our TBR and decided to go for it. I didn’t or attempted to read the blurb because I figured sometimes the cover of the book would give the least opportunity for me to justify it. So here I go with my own thoughts. This is definitely a book so raw and packed with feelings. The story had so many emotions, sadness, surprises, feelings and happiness. I was literally surprised how all the feelings came together at the end. I always enjoyed a good psycho-thriller book, but to change the genre I have preferred to read anything with feelings and psyche in it. In this case, Anna and Liam were given a big tasks and although they didn’t have any options to escape the situation, they found their best solution to all. It is an unexpected book and I really enjoyed and liked this book.
Profile Image for Andra Gillum.
Author 6 books1 follower
April 8, 2024
A fun, easy read. I was a little nervous when I read the back cover that talked about science and physics, because I’m not usually a big science fan. However, the author simply used the concept of quantum physics as a thread through the story to examine how, many possibilities and turns our lives and relationships can take. I enjoyed the story of the young musicians and their relationship struggles.
Profile Image for Paula.
Author 2 books252 followers
April 12, 2024
Yes, I read a YA novel that is not a horror novel - try not to faint.
In fact, I didn't expect to like this at all. Friendship drama, romance, and driven musicians sound like a recipe for feelings soup. But this is taut and authentic, with characters who carry their grief and guilt visibly or buried deep, who self sabotage and reach for greatness and have moments of purity that don't eclipse the hurt that has come before or protect them from subsequent downfalls.
Truly amazing.
Profile Image for Erika.
124 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2024
I didn’t really feel connected to any of the characters in this book. The whole concept of this book was cool and everything but if I can’t feel any connection to anything it kind of just drags on. Elise, Liam, and Anna were all kind of collectively annoying. All in all Shannon’s writing is really good and her talk about soulmates was really cute, so I’m giving this book a good three out of five. ◡̈
623 reviews53 followers
February 15, 2024
I don’t even know what to say. There are…no words. This book is inside me and it’s inside my soul. If you don’t read this when it comes out you are doing yourself a disservice.

ETA: it’s been an hour and not only can i not still thinking about this without crying hysterically but I’m also shaking so just know this is the best book in the world
Profile Image for Natalie Puckett.
248 reviews4 followers
May 21, 2024
3⭐️ Very interesting coming-of-age story, split between two alternate relatives: one where Liam’s cousin and Anna’s best friend, Elise, dies in a car accident, and one where she survives it. Personally, I felt like a few lose ends could have been tied up at the end, but enjoyed the flipping perspectives and overall concept.
565 reviews4 followers
August 13, 2024
Shannon Dunlap did a great writing about the complex feelings that go with loss. I liked the concept of the multiverse and exploring the differences and similarities between the two. Overall, I think I liked the concept more than the actual story. None of the characters really felt truly fleshed out.
Profile Image for Ellen.
40 reviews1 follower
January 2, 2025
I really liked this! It's very thought provoking the way the alternate realities play out. I love how this book plays out the idea of the multiple world theory. I also love the ending of all the multiple universes, how Anna and Liam meet including ones where Julian is still alive.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Susan.
53 reviews
January 17, 2026
Interesting concept that I’ll continue to think about, but I didn’t stay as engaged as I wanted in the story because it wasn’t as captivating as it could have been. The last chapter was my favorite, to end it on a thought-provoking high note.
Profile Image for Ari.
10 reviews
May 2, 2024
Interesting, easy read… the ending kinda irritated me.
There were a few very profound parts, yet I felt like the concept was trying too hard
Profile Image for Christina Bonini.
8 reviews
June 9, 2024
Excellent YA novel that works for adults too. Great concept with a well done ending.
Profile Image for Jennnnnifer.
20 reviews
August 24, 2024
I felt like literally nothing happened in this book? But I do love a dual pov
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews

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