Love Frankie by Jacqueline Wilson

Love Frankie – Jacqueline Wilson

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read July 20

This is the book I would have wanted as a kid. I never went through with it but I always imagined writing to Jacqueline Wilson and asking for a girl meets girl story. Eventually – when I’d technically grown out of her books but was still buying them – we got ‘Kiss’ which was about Sylvie and her best friend Carl, who later reveals that he’s gay.

Now we do finally have my longed for lesbian themed book and I’m a little disappointed. I know Jacqueline’s speciality is children’s books and I’d guess this fit into the 11+ category (possibly! Ageing books is not my thing) but it could have done with being pushed a bit further and been longer in order to tie up all the loose ends.

I guess it's the fact that there is so much story. We have Frankie who is working out her sexuality, actually it would have been nice to have had more of her exploring her feelings. She was a bit 0-60. “I have feelings for one girl, I must be gay.” I did love the way she owned it though! Then we have her best friend Sam who has a crush on her. Her mum has MS which after causing a fall kids at school think she has a drink problem and start bullying Frankie about it. Her father left them for another woman - leading to a very awkward Christmas holiday scene. And on top of all that the girl she falls for is Sally, one of the kids who bullied her about her mum.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x

Every Little Piece of My Heart by Non Pratt

Every Little Piece of My Heart – Non Pratt

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read June 20

I want a sequel! I loved this and my heart is full! So much representation: race, sexuality, family, personality, disability. I loved how real and flawed the characters were and how they all came together. I loved that Sunny ended up becoming a central character, younger siblings all too often end up being forgotten, left behind, or treated like crap, so it was really refreshing.

Oh I guess you want a little on the plot and not just general gushing! Sophie is left a package by her best friend Freya (who has left suddenly and we never meet her) which once unwrapped contains instructions for the package to be delivered to Win (older sister of the aforementioned Sunny), once she opens there's instructions to deliver to someone else... In between we get flashbacks about how these characters know Freya and how they each have their own view of her.

If I have one criticism it is that Ryan and Lucas’s voices were a little too similar, although I don’t think that was helped by my reading the book in chunks thanks to it only being available in a format that I could only read on my PC or phone. I guess even a tablet would be easier if I had one LOL!

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

On the Come Up – Angie Thomas

Read March 20 - Library

Another story of politics and the power of one person’s voice from Angie Thomas. I loved the varied cast of characters. Bri was awesome and Sonny was adorable. I liked the dynamic between Bri and Malik and the way things grew with Curtis. It was more of a personal story than ‘The Hate U Give’, focused on Bri’s dream of becoming a rapper like her late dad. It was an interesting look and how fame can change you and how easily your own words can be twisted against you. Stay true to yourself was a key theme. I did feel like the ending was a little rushed and a little incomplete though.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Theatrical by Maggie Harcourt

Theatrical – Maggie Harcourt

Read March 20 - Library

This was so nearly 5 stars but, in the end, I just couldn’t justify it. The detail and the scene-building were phenomenal! That is were the problem lies slightly… The theatre is described so vividly that it becomes a character more than the actual human characters. I liked the slow burn romance but overall, the characters were a little 2D. Their personality is all theatre all the time. Even the love interest doesn’t have much beyond the theatre. He’s juggling it with school and work and his parents are dead. Also, he likes weird popcorn combos, something Hope notices when he’s coincidentally at the cinema at the same time as her but is never mentioned later. No-one talks about interests, music, movies, other shows etc. Also, the ending was rather abrupt. The show ended and then the book did. Despite all this critical stuff I did really enjoy the book. I enjoyed the flow and I loved Hope as a character and how she grew throughout the book.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Amy and Matthew by Cammie McGovern

Amy and Matthew – Cammie McGovern (Also known as "Say What You Will")

Read March 20 - Library

There are so few novels with disabled characters at the centre that this was so needed and refreshing. It wasn’t sugar-coated at all. Amy was also intelligent, something disabled people are rarely allowed to be. Matthew – one of the students hired to be her peer helper – is trying to avoid his own problems. OCD. His illness helps him avoid making friends despite wanting them. Seeing their friendship grow and evolve was really enjoyable and I liked that they were flawed: Matthew had serious avoidance issues and Amy could be selfish. Again, like so many books I found the ending lacking.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Yes, No, Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

Yes, No, Maybe So – Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed

Read March 20 - Library

So as a Brit a lot of the American politics went over my head so near the beginning my rating hovered around a 3 but I absolutely loved the character development, the inter-faith relationship and the slow burn romance. It’s probably my own fault but I haven’t read many books with Muslim characters and I really appreciated that the book took place over Ramadan, though slight niggle I do wish Maya’s faith was discussed a little more. It felt a little over-shadowed by Jamie’s Jewishness, what with his sister’s bat mitzvah, his family and even the candidate they’re working for being Jewish. I did like Jamie’s growth in particular and his improvement and willingness to learn. Also, I want either a direct sequel with Jamie and Maya or a sequel featuring Jamie’s sister, Sophie. I loved her and I want more of her story!

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Leah on the Offbeat – Becky Albertalli

Read March 20 - Library

Bi girl representation! So cute! Slow burn romance, relatable characters, character growth, I loved it all! Leah was not perfect; she was stroppy and snarky and shut out her friends but she’s loyal and calls bullshit out when she sees it – casual racism is still racism and I really appreciated its inclusion. I did feel a little bad for Garrett but at least it looks like he got his own happy ending. Leah’s ending just made me grin like a loon! Also more girl drummers please!

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

Countless by Karen Gregory

Countless – Karen Gregory

Read March 20 - Library

Hedda is in the grip of an eating disorder she refers to as 'Nia' when she discovers that she is pregnant. She decides to call a truce with Nia to try and grow and nurture a healthy baby.

This book was heart-breaking. Hedda was such an interesting character, I enjoyed reading about her inner conflicts and seeing her growing affection for her baby. I’ve never had any problems with anorexia, but I did appreciate the lack of explicit references towards calories and weight. My overall criticism was that I wanted more. A less abrupt conclusion for Robin, more about the unit and how everything began, Hedda’s friends, especially Molly, and especially her family.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven

Read March 20 - Library

I’ll take one squished heart to go please because this book was full-on and heart-wrenching. Also, if it wasn’t obvious from the blurb massive content warning for suicide mentions. It’s detailed stuff. Well researched but definitely triggering. There’s also brief mentions of bulimia and self-harm. The characters are so well-written, and I love that their relationship was slow burn, not instalove. I loved their growth over the course of the book, especially Violet. I really enjoyed reading about their wanderings and I hope that they were real places. I wish we’d had more of Violet’s new project coming to fruition in the actual book. The last third of the book was traumatic but I loved the continuing theme of growth.

I understand that there is a film adaptation of this book. I couldn't get past the start and Violet and Finch's meeting being changed so much. How they meet is a massive plot point of the book and unless that scene appears later the movie is naturally not going to be the same. But even if it does the fact that they've already met would diminish it.

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

The Last Wish of Sasha Cade by Cheyanne Young

The Last Wish of Sasha Cade – Cheyanne Young

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read Nov 19

This is a beautiful novel and it left my heart full and happy – despite the way things start! Raquel’s struggling after her best friend dies of cancer, but then a letter from Sasha arrives. Before her death she set up a scavenger hunt, one that early on leads to a mysterious boy – Elijah – who may be necessary in helping Raquel move on. This was a beautiful novel (so much so I’m writing it twice!) and the characters were brilliantly well-developed, but there was also growth, even in Sasha and she’s dead for most of the book! But, yeah, a really heart-warming story and I loved it!

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

Mother by Hannah Begbie

Mother – Hannah Begbie

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read Nov 19

I will start by saying that this book was remarkably well-researched, almost to a fault… After struggling with infertility Cath and Dave finally have a daughter, Mia. Things seem perfect but at 25 days old Mia is diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). Their struggle with the news drives the parents apart. Dave goes to football and the pub; Cath goes to a support group where she meets Richard whose teenage daughter has CF. Naturally, an affair begins because unhappy couples in media never work out their issues together, also let’s add in the risk of CF cross infection!

There was a bit too much medical talk and jargon at times, it read like a scientific journal more than a novel sometimes. The characters are mostly unlikeable. Except Dave, we don’t really see enough of him. He should have co-narration or at least some chapters from his point of view.

2/5 stars

Stef Out x

Things I'd Rather Do Than Die by Christine Hurley Deriso

Things I’d Rather Do Than Die – Christine Hurley Deriso

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read Oct 19

Jade and Ethan end up locked in a gym overnight after a gunpoint robbery. The conversations they had were interesting but it’s hard to forget that Ethan made Jade stay open late so he could work out. Had he not done that then neither would have been there for the robbery.

Ethan has a very strong faith and he’s even shown going to bible groups. He seemed to be trying to push his faith onto Jade at times and didn’t want to accept that she wasn’t Christian like himself. Whether Jade had faith or not was overridden by the worry she had for her sick father.

The book was OK but kind of flat in places and the overall plot could have been stronger. Generally forgettable.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x

A Little Bird Told Me by Marianne Holmes

A Little Bird Told Me – Marianne Holmes

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read Oct 19

This is a dual timeline novel with chapters set in the summer of 1976 when main character Robyn was 9 and September 1988 when she is 21. In 1976 a stranger shows up and gives Robyn a present, a small thing that sets off a chain of events that leads to her family leaving town. 1988 and Robyn has returned with brother Kit to try and find out the truth.

This was almost a DNF in parts for me. The setting was dull, the pacing was slow, and I barely cared for the characters. I mostly kept reading for the big reveal which I now can’t remember. I don’t know if it was that spectacular as far as reveals go. Overall the book was a bit of a let-down.

2/5 stars

Stef Out x

The Leading Edge of Now by Marci Lyn Curtis

The Leading Edge of Now – Marci Lyn Curtis

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read Oct 19

TW: Rape

Grace has just moved in with her uncle after her father’s death and going back to the place she grew up is starting to awaken memories long buried. Moving back is also giving her the chance to reconnect with best friend Janna, and her ex-boyfriend Owen, Janna’s brother. Being back and remembering that awful night, Grace’s priority is to find the truth about the attack she initially blamed Owen for but there are half-truths and blocks everywhere. This is an intense, emotional novel that is not easy to review. Just read it.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Floored by Sara Barnard

Floored – Sara Barnard + Others

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read Oct 19

I loved the concept for this and the fact that it’s a collaborative novel (I’m assuming one person wrote each character to give them a unique voice and then another to do plot, tie things together etc) is a really unusual thing.

Six teenagers of vastly different backgrounds end up sharing an elevator and then an experience that connects them forevermore… I loved learning more about each character throughout the book and seeing them grow and mature such as Kaitlyn’s acceptance of her gradual loss of sight and Hugo’s struggle to be more than his wealth. The only thing is it could have done with being longer and having a more rounded ending.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales

Tonight the Streets Are Ours – Leila Sales

Read Aug 19 - Library

Arden was a doormat, but I did kind of like her. She was kind and loyal and had hope for the future, Lindsey was annoying, she didn’t have much personality beyond whiny leech. Apparently, she was a runner but no mention was made of any events or competitions. I did sympathise with her being gay in a small town, she did seem lonely, but at the same time she didn’t seem to want to change anything. Chris annoyed me. He had no personality beyond “I’m an act-or”, also pet names like babe and sweetheart piss me off. The sudden across country road trip seemed rather unrealistic and dangerous! Let’s drive across three states to find some blogger bloke! Unsurprisingly Peter was a jerk. A flash git who only cared about his own ego. Also the reveal of him being Asian felt a little forced and a little bit like tokenism: “hey here’s a POC even though there’s literally no hint until my pretty white girl protagonist points it out despite her being obsessed with his blog”. Overall, the storytelling was compelling, the plot was weak and the characters basic.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x

The Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill

The Surface Breaks – Louise O’Neill

Read Aug 19 - Library

This advertises itself as a feminist retelling of The Little Mermaid and to that I would say yes but at the same time no. The first half was less clear cut. We had few characters, less information about the mer-world than I’d have liked and overall, seemingly vapid thoughts about their appearance and men. Things did not seem happy per say but there was nothing that was a major red flag initially. While I loathe the concept of instalove the story took on a much more interesting turn in the second half once Gaia took on her human guise. It didn’t make a lot of sense, but Gaia only seemed to reveal her full life and understand how bad it was once she was among the humans. The second half of the book definitely took a U-turn with its criticisms of the expectation of women and the trouble with many men. I feel that the ending was a little rushed, despite my small criticism of the pacing I wanted more! Also, my copy had a bonus “chapter” on the Sea Witch and oh goodness I want a whole book on her!

3/5 stars

Stef Out x

Meat Market by Juno Dawson

Meat Market – Juno Dawson

Read Aug 19 - Library

This was a great book. Juno writes great characters; everything was really well-researched, and I almost feel like I was there. Key word being almost, the made-up fashion brands and designers were a little jarring. More descriptive work could have been used on the settings, sometimes there wasn’t much distinction between locations. There were so many different characters that it felt like many didn’t get enough page time. Especially Sabah, I loved her! I also wanted to know more about Jana’s family and their history. I quite enjoyed the way Jana spoke; she was very authentic although I did rather detest her constant use of the word ‘aint’. The story within the story was very timely with current event and I feel like it was written very authentically. I also especially loved the end “where are they now” memos. It was kind of cute.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Goodbye, Perfect by Sara Barnard

Goodbye, Perfect – Sara Barnard

Read July 19 - Library

This is the second Sara Barnard book I have read and let me tell you this woman is brilliant at characters and building tension. I loved Eden and I loved the way her relationships were explored, Connor was a sweetheart and I know they are fictional, but I hope they last! I would have loved to have seen more with Valerie, what we had at the end wasn’t enough! I really appreciated Eden’s growth in such a short space of time. I also thought the themes of the novel were so important and under-talked about. Grooming is a serious thing and kids need to know the signs. If there was a negative, I would say that the ending was rather abrupt. I wanted more on the aftermath than a couple of hurried lines.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo

If I Was Your Girl – Meredith Russo

Read July 19 - Library/Owned

A beautifully written, beautifully told, own voices story about a teenage trans girl names Amanda. I thought that Amanda was beautifully written and well fleshed out though Meredith Russo does admit that Amanda’s transition is highly idealised and not like most people’s experiences. I also loved the flashback scenes; how sincere they were. Grant was such an interesting character, full of dark and light. Bee was interesting and I wanted more about her. Beyond that though I felt like the rest of the side characters were under-developed. Especially the girls. I have already forgotten the names of 1 or 2. One was Chloe, another might have been Taylor? Chloe lived on a farm and her “identity” was her biggest personality trait. Another girl’s trait was religion but the “good” sort of accepting type. I did also find the ending a little flat, it just kind of stopped. A lot of stuff was just left unresolved which was rather frustrating. Also as I’m cis (ish) I don’t know if it’s my place to be bothered but I was a bit bothered by Amanda describing herself as transsexual considering I thought that it was an outdated and incorrect term. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

(Originally borrowed from the library, now own a copy.)

Bonus US cover which apparently features a trans model!

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli

Read July 19 - Library/Owned

This book is so cute! I almost squealed out loud at the ending! Simon is lovely and I want to give him a hug. His friends were fab as well though Leah confused me a little, I guess I’ll just have to read her book to find out more about her. I just love the fact that every single character is fleshed out, especially Blue which is remarkable because you don’t even know who he is for a good 80-90% of the book. The writing was beautifully descriptive as well for a debut novel, like all good books I mostly just wanted it to be longer.

(Originally borrowed from the library, have since bought.)

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews

The Boy Who Steals Houses – C.G. Drews

Read July 19 - Library

This book is so heart-breaking, and I want to hug everybody! Sam is sweet and soft and scared, and he just wants to protect his autistic older brother, Avery. It is so good reading a book with good autistic representation, Avery was just so real! Actually, everyone is really well-written and fleshed out, they felt like they could walk straight off the page. Also, Cait’s writing style is second to none for its purity, its power, and its descriptiveness. The main downside for me was that it ended too soon. I wanted more!

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

The Rules of Seeing by Joe Heap

The Rules of Seeing – Joe Heap

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read May 19

Nova was born blind. For her life is good, she can speak five languages, works as an interpreter for the Metropolitan Police and can apparently tell when someone is lying just by the sound of their voice – a skill sadly under-used. One day her doctor brother tells her about an operation that can give her sight! Nova is torn but eventually agrees. Recovering in hospital she crosses paths with Kate, the wife of one of her police colleagues, who is having struggles of her own. We then see their growing closeness combined with Nova struggling to understand the “rules” of sight such as glass being see-through and reflective. Overall a really unique concept that drew me in and swept me along.

5/5 stars

Stef Out x

You Let Me In by Lucy Clarke

You Let Me In – Lucy Clarke

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read May 19

Elle is a young writer whose debut has become a bestseller netting her enough money to renovate her dream cliff-top house in Cornwall. She has a few problems though: 1. Money is running out fast and she’s suffering from horrendous writer’s block for her second book. 2. After letting her house on Air B&B while on holiday to bring in a little extra money it no longer feels “right”. 3. She’s having trouble with her ex. 4. A difficult relationship with stay-at-home mum, sister Fiona. And 5. Her neighbour’s son who may or may not be a stalker.

The story was gripping, claustrophobic and delightfully twisty. It kept me guessing all the way through.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Born Scared by Kevin Brooks

Born Scared – Kevin Brooks

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read May 19

Elliot is 13 and afraid of everything. He copes through isolation, a controlled environment, and a carefully regimented medication scheme. Due to some unfortunate timing his medication is about to run out and as tomorrow is Christmas his prescription has been pushed through as an emergency, the snag? His mum must go out in a snowstorm in a trip that should only take 10 minutes. She doesn’t return and Elliot makes the agonising decision to try and find her at a friend’s house, her most likely final destination. It’s not far in distance but the journey is epic and arduous!

This book was intense! So much happened in such a short space of time. It makes for quite a narrow perspective and not a lot of other characters or time spent developing them.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

Dear Evan Hansen by Val Emmich

Dear Evan Hansen – Val Emmich

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read May 19

Just to clarify I had never heard of the musical before reading this and I haven’t listened to any of the music since. A boy – Connor Murphy – takes his own life and is found with a note in his pocket addressed “Dear Evan Hansen”. Evan is a loner who has issues with anxiety. One of his therapy tasks is to write letters to himself. Connor steals his letter and this is found with his body. Along with Connor having signed the cast on Evan’s broken arm this leads Connor’s parents, and later everyone else, to believe that Connor and Evan were best friends when in reality they barely knew each other. I like the way the story unfolded from the dishonest way that Evan creates fake emails between himself and Connor with a friend’s help to the fact that he uses his new popularity to create the ‘Connor Project’, a website to raise money and help those with mental health issues. Evan’s growth throughout was brilliant, but I think – especially due to a stage show’s nature of focusing only on a few people – that character development in the side characters suffered a little bit, I’d have liked more on them.

4/5 stars

Stef Out x

All the Hidden Truths - Claire Askew

All the Hidden Truths – Claire Askew

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read May 19

An intense story of a school shooting told from the perspective of three women: Helen Birch, the DI investigating the incident; the mother of a girl who died; and the mother of the shooter. The DI, Helen, is recently promoted and given the task of establishing why Ryan – the shooter – did what he did. A task that never appears to be completed, just shunned in favour of a fight with a journalist. The characters are not especially likeable but that may be the circumstances under which we meet them. I did like the formatting of the book with the inclusion of newspaper articles and Wikipedia pages.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x

The Liar's Room by Simon Lelic

The Liar’s Room – Simon Lelic

Ebook provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

Read April 19

To me a good thriller is signified by whether you remember it or not – especially as I have a bad memory – but while I can remember bits of the classics (Gone Girl, The Girl on the Train, Behind Her Eyes) I couldn’t remember this without GoodReads at all. The single room set-up was dull, I’m not sure if there was sufficient detail and the characters… Not memorable, lacking in depth. Villain was a caricature. It followed the basic thriller formula but without true feeling and belief.

2/5 stars

Stef Out x

One of Us Is Lying by Karen McManus

One of Us Is Lying – Karen McManus

Read Jan 19 - Library

I liked the characters in this, they were diverse and had interesting personalities although the stereotypes were cliché: nerd, jock, princess and criminal. I really liked the development of Addy, the princess character, she really grew and matured throughout the story. Bronwyn, the nerd, didn’t grow as much as a character regarding general maturity but she did become more open and honest as a person. Nate was the criminal, he was an interesting character, the obvious suspect in the murder of Simon, too obvious in a way. Finally, there was Cooper, the jock, the most disappointingly handled character. He had less of a personality than the others beyond sport and his ‘secret’. His feelings were normal, but it was a plot twist that shouldn’t exist.

The conclusion as well was disappointing. I didn’t guess it but then even with thrillers it’s rare that I try, however the eventual motivations behind the murder were not good. They weren’t handled well and reinforce some poor stereotypes. Overall 3 stars because I enjoyed the book, - 2 because it has strong negative issues.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x

Wing Jones by Katherine Webber

Wing Jones – Katherine Webber

Read Jan 19 - Library

Wing is a unique character in YA fiction. I haven’t read/seen many mixed race main characters and those that exist are usually white and ‘other’. Not Wing, she has a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, both of whom live with her, her mother and her sports star brother, Marcus.

Life is mostly fine until Marcus gets into an accident that leaves him in a coma and then Wing is left questioning her entire life and sense of self. The book covered a lot of aspects well, Wing’s growth, the family dynamics, the impact of poor finances and racism. However the romance was predictable and the writing style lacking overall, possibly due to the fact that it was a white woman writing about race - something she won't have personally experienced.

3/5 stars

Stef Out x