The Here and Now

By: Ann Brashares

Narrated by: Emily Rankin

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is an epic star-crossed romance about a girl who might be able to save the world . . . if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

The world Prenna James comes from is in ruins. She and the others who escaped are here to prevent humanity’s destruction. But if they don’t follow The Rules, everything that matters will be gone: Friends. Families. Dreams. Love.

Ethan Jarves can never know Prenna’s secret. That she’s not from another place.

She’s from another time.


"This gripping story is set in a world unlike any other and inhabited by beautifully imagined characters that stay with you long after the last page.” – Sara Shepard, bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars

“An appealing romantic thriller . . . [also] a potent reminder that we inherit the future we buy with our actions today.”—Cassandra Clare for the New York Times Book Review

“Fast-paced, gripping, and romantic.”—Publishers Weekly

“Lightning-paced . . . like a cinematic blockbuster.”—Kirkus Reviews

“The Here and Now could just as easily sit among the time-travel sci-fi, coming-of-age, or romantic thrillers of YA. Honestly, even though I really don't know how to categorize it, I loved it.”—Happily Ever After/USA Today

Critic reviews

"This gripping story is set in a world unlike any other and inhabited by beautifully imagined characters that stay with you long after the last page.” – Sara Shepard, bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars

"[A]n appealing romantic thriller, ‘The Here and Now’ also serves as a potent reminder that we inherit the future we buy with our actions today.” --Cassandra Clare for The New York Times Book Review

“The Here and Now could just as easily sit among the time-travel sci-fi, coming-of-age, or romantic thrillers of YA. Honestly, even though I really don't know how to categorize it, I loved it — and the ending made me hope (really, really hope!) for a sequel.”—Happily Ever After/USA Today

“From the author who brought us The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants come the gripping page-turner about a girl who’s willing to risk it all for love and the fate of the world.” --Teen Vogue

“Lightning-paced . . . like a cinematic blockbuster.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Compelling.”—School Library Journal

“Best known for her Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants books, Brashares forays into science fiction in this fast-paced, gripping, and romantic novel about a girl from a future that seems eerily possible. . . her fans will be happy to find that her prose is as resonant and realistic as ever.” --Publishers Weekly

“Brashares . . . builds on her adroit adolescent characterization and ear for teen dialogue and transports them into an exciting time-travel adventure complete with murderers to thwart and mysteries to solve.”--Booklist

"Skillfully weaving together time travel, planetary devastation, climate change, plague and young love, the author creates an engaging, adventurous tale." --Shelf-Awareness

"Brashares' era-hopping race against time is fast paced and heady...perfect for fans of Brasahres' earlier work, as well as Veronica Roth's Divergent." --RT Book Reviews

"Fantasy and science fiction fans will enjoy the intricate cause-and-effect Brashares defines in her story. Filled with suspense and spiced with romance, the story will satisfy any reader who appreciates a well told story. [Brashares] is at the top of her game." --Examiner.com

"A satisfying mix of science fiction and romance." --Children's Literature

Dangling ending

Any additional comments?

Ann Brashares has a knack for weaving an enthralling story, only to have the ending left dangling for the reader, and The Here and Now is no exception. There are too many questions left unanswered at the end of the book, but otherwise, an enjoyable read. I'm giving it 5 stars, because sometimes I think unanswered questions are a good thing, my own feelings of frustration not withstanding.

Captivating

Great character driven story. Interesting plot- not very dramatic but comfortably paced. Emily Rankin did a great job performing and narrating it. Good pacing. Time well spent.

Different but good

Would you listen to The Here and Now again? Why?

I enjoyed the story and the characters. It's not what I would typically read but I'm glad I branched out and tried it. I wasn't disappointed.

Any additional comments?

I was a little disappointed at the ending as I was really hoping to be able to see Prenna and Ethan finally be intimate and end up together and it just left me wondering.

Good, cries out for a sequel

I rushed through this book, and though some of it was predictable, it was different enough to keep me interested. The performance was great, and for the most part the story was too, I just wish the ending was a bit more conclusive. Because of the way it does end, it seems like the author is setting up for a sequel, but I don't think she is.

Just not for me.

I suppose this book would be good if this type of thing is for you.