Everywhere, Always (2021) is the first non-vampire novel by Jennifer Ann Shore that I’ve read. Admittedly, romance isn’t my genre of choice as I prefer it to be more of a subplot. When I do read a novel where the love story is the central plot, I want it to be quick and sweet with non-cookie cutter characters. Everywhere, Always certainly delivers.
Despite having zero vampires, a lot of the aspects I enjoyed from Metallic Red show up in these pages as well. It’s partly Shore’s writing style, but it’s more so in her characters; Shore writes extremely likable and unique young adults who are consistent in their actions and whose growth organically happens.
Everywhere, Always quickly sets up a Gilmore-Girls-esque relationship between Avery and her mother. Within the first ten pages, the reader is presented this beautiful relationship that has defined Avery’s existence. That quick insight is necessary to further emphasize the fish-out-water experience Avery has when her mother dies and she finds herself in her extremely wealthy (and until now unknown to her) father’s home. Avery is thrust into a world that is so foreign to her, but she adapts with relative ease because her mother has taught her how to adjust her stance when life switches up the pitches.
The romance is sweet, but the relationships Avery creates with her brother and his friends are even sweeter. From Scrubs references to Shakespeare quotes to bags of candy and crossword puzzles, she opens herself to love and be loved and finally allows herself to heal.
If you’re looking for a sweet, YA romance, look no further. Everywhere, Always is certainly sweet, but not cloyingly so.
Read this book.
A Girl Named Tommi 