This post may contain affiliate links for products and services I recommend. This means that I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links. At no additional cost to you, of course!
Looking for a high school southern boy love story? Read on for an honest review of Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines.
Title: Until Friday Night
Author: Abbi Glines
Pages: 328 (paperback)
Narration: dual point of view 1st person (Maggie & West)
Genres: YA Contemporary
Installment: standalone
Tropes: popular guy, new girl, small town
Two years ago, Maggie’s whole world shifted into a horrific nightmare that left her unable to speak. Now, living with her Aunt Coralee, Uncle Boone, and cousin (and golden boy/star quarterback), Brady, she’s trying to acclimate to her new home. West Ashby has always been known as the cocky, popular player in their small town, Lawton. Inside, however, nobody knows he’s grieving, because of his father’s cancer diagnosis. When Maggie and West meet, their lives won’t ever be the same again.
On the Precipice of being more
I’m not 100% sure how to feel about this book. I read it twice before, years ago when I was a teenager and I remember loving it then. Until Friday Night is targeting teenagers, which is understandable since it’s a YA novel, so maybe growing up was what changed my feelings toward it. I feel like it was always on the precipice of being more, being full, but never taking the step to achieve such. One of the best examples is probably the conflict near the end of the book. Simply because I felt it was too short. It had to happen, I’m glad it did, but again, I wanted it to reach that more it had the potential to achieve.
Characters: Yay or Nay?
If you are into excessive possessiveness, bordering on being obsessive, then you will definitely like Until Friday Night. This brings us to West, a flawed character that you won’t always like. The every-girl-is-only-good-for-one-thing-but-her trope is having the time of its life in this book. Also, I feel like girls are objectified in this novel. Is that a thing among southern boys or is it just the author’s imagination?
This brings me to Brady, Maggie’s cousin. Aside from the adults, Brady is probably my favorite character. He’s protective of Maggie and trying to look out for her and simply wants what’s best for her. Brady is there to support Maggie in her decisions and puts her before his best friend. His parents and West’s are the only other sensible characters here. Uncle Boone said it best when he told his niece, “Boys don’t always make the right decisions. It takes years before they become men and wise up.”
Let’s talk about the female characters in Until Friday Night. Maggie is still suffering from what happened in her past, which is only natural, but I feel like her PTSD was written off rather easily. Other than that, aside from the female lead, there’s also not one decent female teenage character to find. Which seems a bit unrealistic and quite sad. I mean, come on, could we have at least one girl sweep in and not be either a complete bitch or be all over the jocks, because of their popularity or acting oblivious towards certain situations?
You Won't Be Able To Put It Down
Putting my differences with this book aside, it also has its advantages. It is rather easy and light to read in its heavy topics. It does, however, emotionally reach you as well, with feelings of frustration, joy, and sadness being the most prominent. There is also something about it that will captivate you and won’t make it easy for you to put down.
All in all, Until Friday Night is a gripping novel you will probably read in one sitting (I know I did 😉 ). I recommend this book to teenagers, because of the good experience I had with it when I was that age. And also, because it can showcase the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships.
Interested in reading Until Friday Night by Abbi Glines? If so, you can buy a copy here: Thalia | Amazon USA
