Back-to-school season is finally upon us this week here in the Diegel house. Whether you homeschool like we do or not, the change in seasons brings exciting challenges and a fresh start, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. Amidst the rush of all the things this time of year brings, it’s important to remember to carve out a little time for yourself. Unwinding with a great book is the perfect way to escape. So, as you stock up on school supplies, go ahead and grab this week’s pick and make it a priority to get lost in the emotional story behind “Five Years From Now” by Paige Toon.
This is a story that will pull at your heartstrings and make you a firm believer in the idea of “right person, wrong time.” It follows the journey of Nell and Van, two people whose lives become intertwined from the moment they meet as five-year-olds. Their parents fall in love, and the two kids form an incredible bond, becoming the best of friends.
But as fate would have it, a tragedy rips their families apart, and Van has to move across the world. Five years later, they find their way back to each other. They’re not children anymore, and that deep friendship has now blossomed into something more—a raw, undeniable connection. Just as things start to get serious, they are separated again.
This becomes a pattern for the next two decades. Life and circumstances continuously get in the way, bringing Nell and Van back together every five years, only to tear them apart again. You’ll be on the edge of your seat, desperate for them to get their happy ending. The book beautifully explores their complex relationship, as well as their individual lives and the other people who come into them.
More than just a love story, it’s a poignant and realistic look at relationships—with family, friends, and ourselves. It touches on themes of grief, growing up, and the belief that when you look back, you’ll understand why things happened the way they did. You’ll feel every emotion with Nell and Van as you follow their journey, and by the end, you’ll be left with a sense of hope and the feeling that sometimes, the world is still full of possibility. The story is a genuine tear-jerker that will leave a lasting impression.
That’s all for this week. I hope you are able to take a minute, slow down, and read a good book. Don’t forget to pop over to my Instagram @allison.the.reader for more books for you to lose yourself in any time.
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