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the next togetherWhat: The Next Together (The Next Together #1) by Lauren James

Who: Walker Books

When: November 1st 2015

How: A copy of this novel was provided by Walker Books Australia for review.

How many times can you lose the person you love?

Katherine and Matthew are destined to be born again and again, century after century. Each time, their presence changes history for the better, and each time, they fall hopelessly in love, only to be tragically separated.

Spanning the Crimean War, the Siege of Carlisle and the near-future of 2019 and 2039 they find themselves sacrificing their lives to save the world. But why do they keep coming back? What else must they achieve before they can be left to live and love in peace?

Maybe the next together will be different…

3cats2I was pleasantly surprised by The Next Together. I read it very quickly, and I enjoyed almost everything about it.

It’s weird that this technically isn’t a reincarnation story, in that reincarnation is normally a paranormal theme in books. In The Next Together it’s more of a science reincarnation, although you don’t really learn all the details until the VERY END. But don’t worry, you know it’s sciencey from the beginning.

There are four timelines for Katherine and Matthew in this book, and I’m going to touch on each of them in turn, because it was almost like reading four mini books.

1745:

From what I can tell, this is the actual first time that Katherine and Matthew got together (I think). It’s set in a time where the Scots might have invaded England, and because I have ZERO knowledge of British history, I didn’t know what actually happened. Which was nice, because everything was a surprise to me!

I felt that this timeline was the best in terms of creating a relationship between Katherine and Matthew, which would make sense if it was the first. I do have to say, however, that I didn’t really get a 1700s vibe, though. I mean, sure, the lack of technology, and the clothing, and social classes were there. But the speech of the characters was certainly not 1700s in any kind of way. Except for a few instances, most of the time the speech felt modern, like how we talk today. So that was a bit disappointing, because it took away some authenticity.

1854:

Oh, I liked this one. Katy was masquerading as a boy, and I am quite a fan of that trope (although I do question why the dudes never go: oh, hey, I had feelings for you when you were a dude, so I’m probably bisexual. But that’s a topic for another day).

Not as much happened in this timeline, but there were some pretty cute moments between Katy and Matthew. Their romance did move quite quickly, as it did in the two other timelines I’m going to talk about, but I guess that can be explained by the fact that they’d already fallen in love before, and that they just had to remember they were in love each new timeline. So the instalove is kind of forgivable, in that sense.

The banter between the couple really started in this timeline, and I think it’s adorable. I particularly liked how Katy called Matthew a ‘delicate flower’.

2019:

This timeline is told entirely through notes/emails/Facebook comments etc. between Katherine and Matthew, which was quite adorable. The banter between the couple in this timeline was on point, even if at times I thought it was a tad unrealistic and overbearing. But I was willing to overlook that because of cuteness.

These two are pretty much the catalysts for the main storyline of the book because they tried to stop a biological weapon from being released.

2039:

This is probably my least favourite timeline, but that doesn’t mean much, since I did like all of them quite a bit. The romance moved very quickly. But like I said before, I guess that’s because of the whole reincarnation thing. But still. I like at least some slowburn, even for a while.

Anyway. This timeline is quite hectic, because Kate and Matt discover (more so than any other timeline) that they have been in love before, throughout time. And that they were actually their aunt and uncle, which is weird and quite awesome.

They want to finish what the 2019 Katherine and Matthew started, and things get quite intense. I did like how they kind of saved the world in a completely realistic way for two teenagers to save the world.

~

Overall, I have to say that The Next Together was really enjoyable. It’s just a shave off four stars, because even though I read it quickly and with interest, the characters never truly captured me. I didn’t feel a lot for them, even if I did want to find out what happened to them.

Some questions are answered, and some aren’t, and I am very glad that there is going to be a sequel (with different characters, I believe. And one of them is queer *cheers*) because I need to know more about the science behind everything!

I think if you’re into reincarnation stories, or low level sci-fi stories, you’ll enjoy The Next Together.

© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.

trigger warning: murder in this novel

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Posted on: November 4, 2015 • By: Chiara

9 Responses to Review: The Next Together by Lauren James

  1. Kayla says:

    Ooo, I LOVE reincarnation stories, for some reason! I’m definitely going to check this out!

  2. It reminds me so much of the Time Traveler’s Wife, but I love how romantic it sounds with how they are reincarnated and meet each other in different timelines.

    • Chiara says:

      I haven’t read The Time Traveller’s Wife, but the movie was better in this one, haha. And this is more reincarnation than time travel! And it was quite romantic :)

  3. I’ve been seeing this book around, but haven’t really investigated. But I thought since you reviewed it, I’d check it out and see what it is you had to say about it :) I like that’s it’s kind of like 4 mini books; and don’t worry, I don’t know much about British history, either! I guess I can look forward to being surprised at every turn as well, haha XD (I’m bummed about the lack of 1700-speech, though, argh.)

    Couple banter is AWESOME. I experience it on a daily basis. I think I might like 1854 quite a lot. Also, 2019 sounds pretty cool – more modern, and yay cuteness! I’m so intrigued by the science of reincarnation, that now I feel I MUUUUSSSSSTTTT pick this book up sometime in the near future. And…they are…their aunt and uncle?!??? WHAAAAAT.

    • Chiara says:

      I like the fact that it was like four mini books, too! It made it really interesting to read. And yeah, it was a bit of a bummer that the speech wasn’t so great in terms of accuracy. But still cute overall.

      The couple banter was super adorable, if sometimes a little too over the top. But still nice to read about. And the cuteness was pretty on point in most of the timelines! :D And yeah, they are reincarnations of their aunt and uncle, haha XD And if you’re intrigues by reincarnation, especially the science aspect, I think this one might be enjoyable for you, Rosie!

  4. Ahhh, I’m glad it was overall not too bad!! I have it for review too but I’ve been avoiding it because, omg, fighting for love through time does not sound like something I would dash for. *collapses dying because is so unromantic* BUT STILL I WILL READ IT SOON!! And I’m looking forward to the cuteness of the 2019 one!

    • Chiara says:

      Me, too! I hope you like (or liked, if you’ve read it already) it, Cait! They’re not exactly fighting for romance through each timeline though XD There is a bit more of a serious undertone to it, especially the latest timeline. Ah, the cuteness was on point!

  5. […] The Next Together, there was some confusion about what it was – science or time travel or paranormal powers. In The […]

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