Book Review: It Wasn't Always Like This by Joy Preble

Title: It Wasn't Always Like This
Author: Joy Preble
Series/Standalone: Standalone
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Historical
Pages: 245
Publisher: Soho Teen
Year Published: 2016
Format: Hardcover Copy (Own It)
First Line: "It was gone."

"In 1916, Emma O'Neill is frozen in time. After sampling an experimental polio vaccine brewed on a remote island of St. Augustine, Florida, she and her family stop aging- as do the Ryan's, her family's business partners. In a way, this suits Emma fine because she's in love with Charlie Ryan. Being seventeen forever with him is a dream. But soon a group of religious fanatics, the Church of Light, takes note. Drinking the elixir has made the O'Neills and Ryans impervious to aging, but not to murder- Emma and Charlie are the only ones who escape with their lives.

On the run, Emma is tragically separated from Charlie. For the next hundred years, she plays a cat-and-mouse game with the founding members of the Church of Light and their descendants. Over the years, a series of murders- whose victims all bear more than a passing resemblance to her- indicate that her enemies are closing in. Yet as the danger grows, so does Emma's hope for finding the boy she's certain is still out there..."


My Rating: 4/5

So this book wasn't at all what I expected. I couldn't remember what it was about and since it was so short I refused to read the description.  And I was very impressed with how well this short book completed the story. Overall I really enjoyed it. I will say that I didn't like some aspects of the characters, but other than that I found the mystery theme that took place throughout the book interesting. I also really enjoyed the idea of how living forever might make someone feel. I hope to read more works by this author. I would recommend this for lovers of crime shows and historical fiction.

Thanks for reading,
Sidny

Spoiler: It Wasn't Always Like This by Joy Preble

So this book is a perfect weekend read. I think that the author did a tremendous job of completing a story about lovers, time travel and mystery all in under 250 pages. The interesting part of this novel for me was how many time jumps their are as well as, perspectives.  The setting was ever changing and completely interesting, it really helped to keep the story flowing throughout the time jumps.

Characters:
Emma: I found her character to be frustrating near the middle of the book. For some reason her attempts to play at real life, and then her diving into her life as a PI made me wonder about what else someone might do in her scenario. It just seemed like some things she got to easy,,, that is other than Charlie. I enjoyed that the author didn't make her seem pure, and holding on for Charlie 100%. Because she does find company, and people she can spend time with, but she always has him on the mind.

Charlie: This ass hole left her on her own. After losing her family, and being scared half to death of what was happening to her, he decided that she would be better on her own. The didn't take the time to think it out (oh to be 17), or to talk it over (damn angry mobs). I did think that his life took a far more interesting turn than hers though, overall. What with the wars and what not.

Pete: I liked this guy. He was a real trooper, and believed the unbelievable, which is really expecting a lot from a guy.

Kingsley: Makes you wonder how many cons he pulled on how many innocent people. What a sick freak?

Frank: Kind of creepy, but overall good.

Art: Kind of naive, but cared for his family overall.


Moments to Remember:
Final Lines: "Charlie held out his arms, and she closed the distance between them."

Thanks for reading,
Sidny