Now THIS is how you make a sequel!

In Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon, Rowan and Neil have gotten together, after four years of rivalry in high school. Now, they’re heading away to college in Boston and New York City respectively. Life in these cities is quite different from in Seattle, though, and adjusting to these new settings is harder than imagined. Rowan struggles with creative writing for the first time in her life, and Neil grapples with how his past family drama still seems to haunt him. As the two of them attempt to navigate freshman year with a long distance relationship, they face struggles both separate and together. And all the way, they wonder what the future holds.

I’ll be honest, when this book was announced, I was surprised. I didn’t think that its predecessor Today Tonight Tomorrow really needed a sequel; it was fantastic as a standalone romcom. However, this new book is absolutely worth it! It’s just as good as the first one, if not better!

The character development of both Rowan and Neil is wonderful. They grow and evolve in such natural, believable ways. Starting college is a very distinct experience, especially for people who go to college directly after high school. It’s the first time both Neil and Rowan are living on their own, both in brand new cities with all new people, new schools, and new classes. So seeing them deal with the culture shock and tentatively start to step out of their comfort zones was awesome. Older teens and twentysomething adults will especially be able to relate to them.

I also loved the ways that things established in the first book are expanded upon in this one. Rowan has embraced her love for the romance genre already, but she isn’t prepared for the sudden case of writer’s block and burnout. Neil has mentioned to Rowan about the fact that his father is in prison, and that the two of them are mostly estranged, but he doesn’t expect thoughts of his father to follow him across the country, or the problems with his mental health that start to creep in. Neil in particular has some intense moments, when he’s feeling especially depressed, so if you’d rather not engage with that, keep it in mind. That said, this is all presented with sensitivity and compassion, and he does get help.

There are a lot of lovely themes here: about how to take care of others without sacrificing your own wellbeing, about how to ask for help, and about the importance of your happiness not depending upon one specific person. And though a lot of the topics are serious, there is also a lot of light and happiness to be found: both main characters find new friendships, new interests, and new reasons to smile. There are funny moments and sweet moments, plus a couple of rather spicy scenes (another reason that this is probably best suited for older teens and up). There’s an excellent balance of emotions.

In the end, I loved Past Present Future! It’s everything a sequel should be, presenting new characters and new journeys for the established characters while honoring the story that came before it. Nothing about this story feels unnecessary; it’s clear that Solomon discovered that there was more story that followed Rowan and Neil’s “happily ever after” and I’m so glad she decided to explore it. And who knows, if in four years she realizes there’s a third story about Rowan and Neil, I’ll be first to read it. (What would it be called, do you think? Then Now Always? Anyway, doesn’t matter. This was a lovely conclusion for these characters.)

Past Present Future is available now! I listened to the audiobook, which was great!