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