Bubbling up with Helena

• Title: Past Present Future
• Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
• Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Release Date: 6/4/24
• Genre: Romance
• Age Range: Young Adult
• Rating: ★★★★.5
• Publisher’s Summary: They fell for each other in just twenty-four hours. Now Rowan and Neil embark on a long-distance relationship during their first year of college in this romantic, dual points of view sequel to Today Tonight Tomorrow. When longtime rivals Rowan Roth and Neil McNair confessed their feelings on the last day of senior year, they knew they’d only have a couple months together before they left for college. Now summer is over, and they’re determined to make their relationship work as they begin school in different states. In Boston, Rowan is eager to be among other aspiring novelists, learning from a creative writing professor she adores. She’s just not sure why she suddenly can’t seem to find her voice. In New York, Neil embraces the chaos of the city, clicking with a new friend group more easily than he anticipated. But when his past refuses to leave him alone, he doesn’t know how to handle his rapidly changing mental health—or how to talk about it with the girl he loves. Over a year of late-night phone calls, weekend visits, and East Coast adventures, Rowan and Neil fall for each other again and again as they grapple with the uncertainty of their new lives. They’ve spent so many years at odds with each other—now that they’re finally on the same team, what does the future hold for them?

I am a Rachel Lynn Solomon super fan. Not only are her books smart, thoughtful, and funny, but they also are always full of mental health and Jewish representation. Past Present Future is no exception. I just reread Today Tonight Tomorrow with my husband, and I fell in love with Rowan and Neil all over again. While I didn’t like Past Present Future quite as much as the first in the series, I enjoyed following Rowan and Neil into their next stage of life.

Past Present Future isn’t your typical romance novel. It starts with the couple in love and in a happy relationship. Instead of reading about their journey to getting together, the reader follows them as they navigate a long distance relationship. I was already invested in their relationship and enjoyed following them through the next phase of their relationship.

There aren’t enough books set in college. Solomon captures what it is like to be a college freshman so incredibly well. Like Rowan and Neil, I went to college across the country from my hometown and so much of their experiences reminded me of my own. The descriptions of anxieties around making new friends, classwork, majors put me right back to arriving in Massachusetts in the fall of 2010. Like me, also, Neil is initially drawn to Jewish life on campus, and he finds comfort in the familiarity of the Jewish traditions.

It is also absolutely true that college friendships can be some of the most important and longlasting you will make. I met my husband in college and made many other friends I hope will be in my life for a long time. The friends Neil and Rowan make in college bring Past Present Future to life. Skyler, Neil’s roommate is the most charming. I love that he invites Neil to dinner with his dad and also includes Neil in his ultimate frisbee game. There is no hesitation in the kindess he shows, but he also pushes Neil out of his comfort zone. We all need friends like Skyler.

I have lived in both cities where this book takes place. Boston and New York both have my heart, and it was so fun to read about places I love so much. There is a Billy’s Bakery right by my office, and I will agree with Adhira and Zoe in Past Present Future that the cupcakes there are better than Magnolia’s. I went to college in the Boston area, and Paulina and Rowan’s search for a real Boston cream pie and ending up at Dunkin’ made me laugh, but also felt so real to me. (Although I didn’t have a real slice of Boston cream pie until I had lived there for about 5 years). It made me want to go on a scavenger hunt through these cities like Rowan and Neil do.

As always in Solomon’s work, the mental health conversation in this book is handled expertly. Neil finds himself tired all the time and unable to do anything. He is afraid to tell anyone about his struggles because he is worried about being a burden. Reading this made me so emotional because of how deeply I related to that feeling. When Neil finally does tell Rowan, she reassures him that he could never be a burden and offers her support. I was so proud of Neil for deciding to seek medical treatment. Examples like that are so important for people experiencing depression or any other mental health difficulties.

Past Present Future wraps up the story that Today Tonight Tomorrow starts perfectly. It made me laugh and cry and feel nostalgic for my college days. As always, I am already eagerly awaiting the next book by Rachel Lynn Solomon that I get to read.