Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Cosola
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teens try to balance duty and dreams in road-trip romance.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In TIME OF OUR LIVES, Fitz Holton is touring colleges against his will, while Juniper Ramirez has a serious agenda and can't wait to find a school that will change her life. Fitz's mom has early onset Alzheimer's, and he wants to attend a local college so he can help care for her when her condition gets worse. His mom doesn't want to hold him back and urges him to consider schools farther afield. Juniper is from a noisy, nosy, big family. They are always in her business. She wants to live her life on her own terms and figure out who she is outside of her family. She sets out for an East Coast college tour with her boyfriend and crosses paths a few times with Fitz. The two spark a friendship that grows into something more. They challenge each other's worldview and future plans. As they get to know each other, they learn a lot about themselves, love, responsibility, family, and the hard decisions that come with becoming an adult.
Is It Any Good?
Two high school seniors with opposite goals meet cute on college tours in this bittersweet romance. Even though it's a light, fast-paced story, Time of Our Lives accurately depicts the excitement and anxiety of leaving high school and entering adulthood. It's a scary transition, even if you're looking forward to it. Fitz and Juniper show both sides of this: One can't wait, and the other feels guilty about moving on. Both are so wrapped up in what they want that they don't see what's going on with the important people in their lives, another common teen trait.
The story moves along at a good pace, with the chapters alternating between each character's viewpoint. Fitz and Juniper are engaging and relatable, but a lot of the dialogue is forced and unnaturally mature. Still, the two grow in satisfying ways and learn how to live more in the present and appreciate their lives as they are.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the characters view leaving home in Time of Our Lives. Graduating from high school is an exciting and scary time. Are you excited to start your adult life? Scared? Worried? How can families work together to decide which decisions are best for teens on the brink of adulthood?
How do you feel about the way teen relationships are depicted in YA books? Do you like more realistic stories or escapist ones? Where do you think this one falls?
How much responsibility do you think teens should have in helping out their families with babysitting, caring for sick parents, tutoring, cooking, and other duties?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Genre : Romance
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Viking Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : April 21, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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