If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is a tender emotional story about the end of the world. About the ways in which our world can end. All the little and large ways. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
Avery Byrne has secrets. She’s queer; she’s in love with her best friend, Cass; and she’s suffering from undiagnosed clinical depression. But on the morning Avery plans to jump into the river near her college campus, the world discovers there are only nine days left to an asteroid is headed for Earth, and no one can stop it.
Trying to spare her family and Cass additional pain, Avery does her best to make it through just nine more days. As time runs out and secrets slowly come to light, Avery would do anything to save the ones she loves. But most importantly, she learns to save herself. Speak her truth. Seek the support she needs. Find hope again in the tomorrows she has left.
If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is a celebration of queer love, a gripping speculative narrative, and an urgent, conversation-starting book about depression, mental health, and shame.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
TW: depression, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempt, homophobia
I have been excited for If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come ever since I heard the premise. St. Jude explores not only the end of the world, but also depression and family. It’s a tender and moving multi-faceted debut. If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come balances all the little moments that can begin the end of the world with the literal asteroid in the room large moments. It’s about who we become at the end of the world. What we choose to do with our last moments.
And who we choose to spend it with. All the friendship we find that finds us in turn. Or the people who become compasses during the storm. It’s a deeply rich character driven story. With a fantastic asexual side character and featuring a queer romance story line as well, If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come explores acceptance. People who can accept us and our questions, our messy nights of feelings, and our mistakes.
It examines the ways Cass feels like she’s failing. How getting used to college and feeling so alone and out of place is terrifying and difficult. Our worlds can get bigger and feel smaller. If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is a story I want to thrust into the hands of incoming college freshman. Of teens who are struggling to find moments of acceptance. It’s an emotional tour de force celebrating hope and love in the face of uncertainty.
Book links:
Blog Tour Schedule
May 9th
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toffiladyreader – Edit + Review
May 10th
@lgbtrepinbooks – Book Review
Utopia State of Mind – Review
May 11th
@Rampant_Reading – Book Review
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May 12th
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May 13th
@thepetitepunk – Aesthetic + Review
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May 14th
@raquelinabook – Review + Favorite Quotes
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May 15th
@lexijava – Book Review
Brittyoreads – Book Review
About the Author
Lambda Literary Fellow Jen St. Jude (she/they) grew up in New Hampshire apple orchards and now lives in Chicago with her wife and dog. She has served as an editor for Chicago Review of Books, Just Femme & Dandy, and Arcturus Magazine. When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her cheering on the Chicago Sky and Red Stars. If Tomorrow Doesn’t Come is her first novel.
Author Links:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22050100.Jen_St_Jude
Website: https://www.jenstjude.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenstjude/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenstjude