‘With The Fire On High’ spoiler-free review!

Hello lovelies! Today, I’m reviewing With The Fire On High by Elizabeth Acevedo, which I loved! I’ve started to enjoy contemporaries recently and this is one I would definitely recommend 😀

---

Ever since she got pregnant, seventeen-year-old Emoni’s life has been about making the tough decisions – doing what has to be done for her young daughter and her grandmother. Keeping her head down at school, trying not to get caught up with new boy Malachi. The one place she can let everything go is in the kitchen, where she has magical hands – whipping up extraordinary food beloved by everyone.

Emoni wants to be a chef more than anything, but she knows it’s pointless to pursue the impossible. There are rules she has to play by. And yet, once she starts cooking, and gets that fire on high, she sees that her drive to feed will feed her soul and dreams too. And anything is possible.

---

This was my first experience of Elizabeth Acevedo’s writing but let me tell you, I will certainly be seeking out more! This book was so lyrical and poetic; I can only imagine how beautiful the author’s books in verse are if this is how she writes a novel!

One of the things I loved most about this book was the amount of sensory detail. I’ve talked previously about how this is something I love in stories so the foodie descriptions were a complete delight. This book should come with a warning: it will make you seriously hungry! Particularly towards the end of the book when the book features a different location, I was living for the gorgeous foodie details.

Another aspect of this book that I loved was the characters. Acevedo has created a fantastic protagonist in Emoni and I was rooting for her all the way. The author addresses the still-taboo subject of teen pregnancy with sensitivity and it was a real breath of fresh air.

The dynamics between the characters were also extremely well done. There are a number of different relationships in this book, from family to friendships to romantic partnerships, and each one was portrayed perfectly.

I had the opportunity to experience this book in audio format and it was a joy. The book is narrated by the author herself which I always think makes a book even more special. The narration was perfect and I was totally captured by this wonderful story of hope.

My one tiny quibble is that this book used that dreaded phrase “I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding”. Once would have been bad enough but that sentence was used no less than THREE times in With The Fire On High. I’m sorry but it’s a pet peeve of mine. Thankfully though, I was able to overlook it and still enjoy the story!

I would definitely recommend this one to fans of contemporary YA!

---

I know I’m slightly late to the game with this one so tell me – have you read it? Do you like books with sensory details? Let me know in the comments! x

 

‘We Are Lost & Found’ spoiler-free review!

Hello lovelies! I recently read We Are Lost and Found by Helene Dunbar and it became a new favourite! In fact, I’ve been in a major book hangover ever since. It’s taken me forever to get this review written. But I’ve finally managed to put something together, whatever quality it may be! Read on to find out what I loved about this story…

---

Michael is content to live in the shadow of his best friends, James, an enigmatic teen performance artist who everyone wants and no one can have and Becky, who calls things as she sees them, while doing all she can to protect those she loves. His brother, Connor, has already been kicked out of the house for being gay and laying low seems to be his only chance to avoid the same fate.

To pass the time before graduation, Michael hangs out at The Echo where he can dance and forget about his father’s angry words, the pressures of school, and the looming threat of AIDS, a disease that everyone is talking about, but no one understands.

Then he meets Gabriel, a boy who actually sees him. A boy who, unlike seemingly everyone else in New York City, is interested in him and not James. And Michael has to decide what he’s willing to risk to be himself.

---

This book, you guys. I was almost in tears just at the epigraph. I knew instantly that this story was going to worm its way into my heart and set up camp there permanently.

I want to talk first about the characters, because they are definitely what make the book. The trio gave me major The Perks of Being a Wallflower vibes and that was no bad thing because I adore that book. Michael is the softest cinnamon roll and I wanted to wrap him up and protect him. His best friends James and Becky were fabulous and there was a really great dynamic within their group.

The book also has one of the most awful villains I’ve come across in a book. I found it really painful to read how Michael’s father behaved towards him and his brother because of their sexuality. However, I did appreciate that the author took her story in that direction because I’m sure so many members of the LGBTQ+ community have that exact experience and it added a real level of believability to the book. It was raw and heart-wrenching.

I loved reading about a time in history that I wasn’t too familiar with. Obviously, I had some notions of how the AIDs epidemic started but this story really brought it home for me. It was exquisitely painful but it also made me want to read more about the topic; I’m always glad when an author can inspire me to go on and research more.

I have seen some reviewers complaining that this is not an #ownvoices novel and that it wasn’t Dunbar’s story to tell, but I feel that she handled the subject respectfully. And I very much appreciated the two afterwords which were #ownvoices.

It’s difficult to know what more to say on this one. It really is an oxymoron of a book; it is completely lovely but will shatter your heart at the same time. 100% recommend to anyone interested in the start of the AIDs crisis or just looking for a gorgeous story full of heart and friendship and learning to love yourself for who you are.

---

Have you read this one? Or any other books about the AIDs epidemic? I have a weird fascination with the subject and would love some recommendations (fiction or non-fiction)! x

 

Autumn Mini Reviews: Pumpkinheads & The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

Hello my lovelies! Some more mini reviews for you today – let’s get straight to it, shall we? 😀

---

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years…

---

This was a super cute seasonal read! If you’re a fan of Autumn/Halloween, you need this book in your life. It is a pumpkin-lover’s dream! I don’t know if American pumpkin patches are actually like this, but if they are then I need to visit one!

I’ve said in the past that food in books ticks a big box for me, so all the amazing snacks mentioned in Pumpkinheads were definitely a highlight. If nothing else, this book will make you crave smores and pumpkin pie.

I loved the art style and the colour scheme was gorgeous. The characters were exactly what we’ve all come to expect from a Rainbow Rowell book; Deja was a particular favourite of mine. She came out with the best puns. And yay for curvy girls!

Overall, this was a very fast read that I enjoyed a lot. It was subtle as a brick but cute and fluffy, and sometimes that’s just what you need. I adored the setting and would happily read more stories in this world – or I’d totally be up for a Christmas themed sequel 😉

---

---

Elizabeth Lavenza hasn’t had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her “caregiver,” and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets… until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything–except a friend.

Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable–and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.

But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth’s survival depends on managing Victor’s dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost… as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.

---

It’s a special retelling that doesn’t just borrow from its source material but adds to it. It is clear that Kiersten White is a Frankenstein fangirl; she treats her source material with such respect. I really enjoyed her portrayal of Elizabeth’s side of the story and thought it was wonderful to get a feminist slant on this classic Gothic novel.

The tone was perfect. You know how sometimes a retelling will make the mistake of using modern language and completely losing the feel of the original? Well, that didn’t happen here. White’s writing harked back to Mary Shelley’s and felt so appropriate for the story, which was something I really appreciated.

If you’re a fan of Frankenstein, do yourself a favour and read this book! I think you could probably enjoy it even if you haven’t read the original (I mean, everyone knows the concept, right? But you’ll definitely get a lot out of it if you’re familiar with the classic.

---

Have you read either of these books? What did you think of them? Let me know in the comments! x

 

‘The Deepest Roots’ spoiler-free review!

Hello lovelies! I’m still in the middle of a super busy time but my backlog of books to review is beginning to pile up and I don’t want it to become too overwhelming, so I’m trying to keep on top of them! Today, I’m reviewing The Deepest Roots which was sent to me by Harper 360!

---

Cottonwood Hollow, Kansas, is a strange place. For the past century, every girl has been born with a special talent, like the ability to Fix any object, Heal any wound, or Find what is missing.

Best friends Rome, Lux, and Mercy all have similar talents, but to them, their abilities often feel like a curse. Rome may be able to Fix anything she touches, but that won’t help her mom pay rent or make it any easier to confide in Lux and Mercy about what’s going on at home. And Rome isn’t the only one. Lux has been hiding bigger, more dangerous secrets.

As Rome struggles to keep her friendships close, she discovers the truth about life in Cottonwood Hollow—that friends are stronger than curses, that trust is worth the risk, and sometimes, what you’ve been looking for has been under your feet the whole time.

---

I genuinely enjoyed this one so much! The Deepest Roots has one of the most intriguing openings I’ve ever read and I found myself drawn in very quickly. The author’s writing style has a lovely flow to it, making this an extremely easy book to read. Before I knew it, I was 100 pages in. And this readability continued for the duration of the book.

One of my favourite aspects of The Deepest Roots was its setting. I could picture Cottonwood Hollow so vividly, with its tree-lined streets and wide open fields. It felt very unique and brimming with atmosphere.

The character descriptions were somewhat less vivid. There were times when I had trouble picturing Rome, Lux and Mercy because their appearance was rarely stated outright. And when it was, it didn’t match what I had been visualising! In a way, they almost seemed to merge together a little in my head in terms of what they looked like. However, given the themes of friendship and sisterhood that were so prominent throughout the book, it kind of worked that I couldn’t separate the three girls in my mind?

I also enjoyed the romance in this book. I’ve said before that I sometimes find the incessant need for romantic pairings in YA books a little tedious, but this is one ship that I am firmly behind. Jett was definite book boyfriend material and I really liked the development of the relationship between him and Rome. Their banter was superbly written and felt natural, and I appreciated that it took them a while to become a couple rather than the typical insta-love!

Finally, I thought the magical aspects of the book were really well done. It was a subtle magic, so I think this book would be a good starting point for anyone wary of magical realism. I loved that the Cottonwood Hollow girls all had different Talents and I thought the author explored these really well, making me feel invested in each individual storyline as well as the overarching plot.

Overall, this was a fantastic debut that I would definitely recommend! I look forward to seeing what this author does next.

---

What is everyone reading these days? I hope you’re all finding wonderful stories! x

 

‘The Girl The Sea Gave Back’ spoiler-free review!

Hello lovelies! Today, I’m reviewing The Girl The Sea Gave Back which was very kindly sent to me by Titan Books! I’m sad to say that I had a few issues with this one 😦 Read on to find out exactly what they were!

---

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home.

---

I really liked how Adrienne Young chose to open The Girl The Sea Gave Back. Having not read Sky in the Deep, I was interested to see how the author would set up her world – and when I started reading, I was pleased by it. I felt immediately drawn into the Norse setting. The author was also able to elicit emotion from me towards the characters, even though I didn’t yet know much about them.

Unfortunately, any connection I felt with the characters did not last. The two narrative voices were not very distinctive in tone and I would sometimes have to check who was speaking. I never really felt any great investment in either of the two perspectives; there was just a flatness to every character.

The dual perspective also made things feel quite repetitive. Often, the author would relay scenes from both points of view but this didn’t really add anything to my enjoyment or understanding of what was taking place.

I’m struggling to voice my opinions on the world building. It was good, in the sense that the Norse connections were really well developed. I loved all the mentions of gods and goddesses. However, I will admit that I found it difficult to get to grips with all the Norse words and names. There was no pronunciation guide in the book and I found myself tripping over words on almost every page. While I appreciated the realness that these details added to the story, I found that I was having to concentrate really hard and I think that’s part of why I couldn’t connect with the characters.

If I’m being totally honest, this book read like a debut to me. It was very action-heavy and also overflowing with awkward clunky sentences and repeated words. It just didn’t feel as polished as I would have liked. I would be interested to compare the writing with Young’s first book, Sky in the Deep, to see if the editing was any better in that instance.

Overall, I don’t regret reading this book but it’s certainly not a new favourite. The whole thing had a sense of bleakness to it; I’m not sure what it was but I just felt quite hopeless when reading it. Maybe that’s what the author was going for? In which case, it was a success. However, I have seen other reviewers commenting that Young had a very difficult time writing this book; I don’t know where they sourced this information to check it out for myself but if it’s true, Young’s emotions have definitely bled into her writing.

I wouldn’t jump to recommend this one but you might enjoy it if you’re a fan of the author’s first book. It didn’t quite work for me but I haven’t written this author off just yet as I feel like there is some potential there.

---

Have you read this one? Or Sky in the Deep? I’d be really interested to know your thoughts if you have! x

 

‘On The Come Up’ spoiler-free review!

Hello lovelies! I’ve got another review for you today (there was a time when I couldn’t read fast enough to consistently put out reviews and now I feel like I’m never going to catch up!) So let’s get straight on with business, shall we? 🙂

---

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. Or at least make it out of her neighborhood one day. As the daughter of an underground rap legend who died before he hit big, Bri’s got big shoes to fill. But now that her mom has unexpectedly lost her job, food banks and shutoff notices are as much a part of Bri’s life as beats and rhymes. With bills piling up and homelessness staring her family down, Bri no longer just wants to make it—she has to make it.

On the Come Up is Angie Thomas’s homage to hip-hop, the art that sparked her passion for storytelling and continues to inspire her to this day. It is the story of fighting for your dreams, even as the odds are stacked against you; of the struggle to become who you are and not who everyone expects you to be; and of the desperate realities of poor and working-class black families.

---

Angie Thomas was always going to be under pressure after her first novel The Hate U Give was such a global success. Though I tried hard not to compare her sophomore novel to her debut, it was difficult to keep them completely separate. However, I’m delighted to say that On The Come Up is another fantastic read!

Thomas excels in writing strong characters. Bri is a total badass; I loved that people tried to change her but she remained true to herself and stood up for what she believed. The rest of the cast of characters also felt fully realised, with understandable motives and human flaws. I thought the mother-daughter dynamic that Thomas portrayed was fascinating to read.

This is definitely a very character-driven novel. I found it a little difficult to picture the setting at times but there were moments (like the rap battles) when it was really vivid! And speaking of the rap, Bri had mad skills. Angie Thomas could definitely be a rapper if she ever decides to take a break from writing novels 😉

It was also lovely to see a few nods to THUG throughout the book; I love it when authors set their books within a common universe. Hopefully this is something that Thomas will  continue – I will take all of the Easter eggs please and thank you!

As I said, it’s really difficult to not compare this book to its predecessor and I would say that THUG just slightly has the edge because it is such a powerful Black Lives Matter story. However, On The Come Up stands up well in its own right and I definitely recommend it if you enjoyed Thomas’ first book or if you’re a fan of contemporaries in general!

---

Have you read either of Angie Thomas’ books? What did you think of them? Let me know in the comments! x

‘Let’s Call It A Doomsday’ spoiler-free review!

Let’s Call It A Doomsday released last month and I can tell you now that it’s going to make my top ten books of the year. A big thank you to Harper 360 for sending me an ARC! Let’s see what I loved about this one, shall we?

---

There are so many ways the world could end. There could be a fire. A catastrophic flood. A super eruption that spews lakes of lava. Ellis Kimball has made note of all possible scenarios, and she is prepared for each one. What she doesn’t expect is meeting Hannah Marks in her therapist’s waiting room. Hannah calls their meeting fate. After all, Ellis is scared about the end of the world; Hannah knows when it’s going to happen.

Despite Ellis’s anxiety — about what others think of her, about what she’s doing wrong, about the safety of her loved ones — the two girls become fast friends. As Ellis tries to help Hannah decipher the details of her doomsday premonition, she learns there are secrets Hannah isn’t telling her. But with time ticking down, the search for answers only raises more questions. When does it happen? Who will believe them? How do you prepare for the end of the world when it feels like your life is just getting started?

---

“I didn’t know why but I knew I needed you.”

First of all, this book has some of the best anxiety rep I’ve ever read. Only two pages in, I was absolutely certain that this was going to be a realistic and respectful portrayal. I thought Katie Henry did a great job of capturing the intrusive thoughts that come with anxiety; I always feel like people think I’m weird when I tell them about the little voice in my head that never shuts up so, I swear, I felt so SEEN by this book.

Ellis was a wonderful protagonist. Honestly, my heart ached for her so much. She was just such a real character, flawed and floundering a bit, and I wanted to shout through the pages that she wasn’t alone. I also love that she felt safest in the library (RELATE!)

Henry also did a great job of portraying how anxiety disorders can affect a whole family, not just the person suffering. I struggled with Ellis’ mum as a character because her reaction to her daughter’s anxiety was genuinely painful to read. I know exactly what it’s like to hear the kind of things she said to Ellis and it really fucking hurts. But I acknowledge that it can be difficult for a parent to understand and that they can struggle themselves with figuring out how best to help their children. The point I’m trying to make is that it was all VERY realistic.

In terms of the writing itself, I found the dialogue super realistic; the banter between the friends never felt forced. I also thought there was a nice, easy flow to the writing.

I have taken this book into my heart so completely. Seriously, anytime I wasn’t reading this one, I was thinking about it and it has stayed with me long after turning the last page. There were so many lines that spoke to me and the ending managed to be hopeful without falling into the trap of that miracle cure we so often see in these types of novels. I hope that anyone else who battles anxiety on a daily basis can find something to relate to in these pages.

---

What are some books that you’ve related to previously? I’d love for you to let me know in the comments! x

‘Enchantee’ spoiler-free review!

Hello dears 🙂 I’m so behind with my reviews! I actually read this book way back at the beginning of August and I’m only just getting round to sharing my thoughts with you! But hopefully, you’ll find them worth the wait 😉

---

When smallpox kills her parents, Camille Durbonne must find a way to provide for her frail, naive sister while managing her volatile brother. Relying on petty magic—la magie ordinaire—Camille painstakingly transforms scraps of metal into money to buy the food and medicine they need. But when the coins won’t hold their shape and her brother disappears with the family’s savings, Camille must pursue a richer, more dangerous mark: the glittering court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.

With dark magic forbidden by her mother, Camille transforms herself into the ‘Baroness de la Fontaine’ and is swept up into life at the Palace of Versailles, where aristocrats both fear and hunger for la magie. There, she gambles at cards, desperate to have enough to keep herself and her sister safe. Yet the longer she stays at court, the more difficult it becomes to reconcile her resentment of the nobles with the enchantments of Versailles. And when she returns to Paris, Camille meets a handsome young balloonist—who dares her to hope that love and liberty may both be possible.

But la magie has its costs. And when Camille loses control of her secrets, the game she’s playing turns deadly. Then revolution erupts, and she must choose—love or loyalty, democracy or aristocracy, freedom or magic—before Paris burns…

---

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I was hearing buzz about this one for months before it came out and it sounded like the exact kind of book I would enjoy. Then some disappointed reviews started to creep in and I got nervous. Turns out, my gut instinct was pretty accurate because this was definitely a book for me.

From the outset, I could picture everything so clearly. I thought the author did a brilliant job with her world-building; she included lots of sensory detail, which is something I always enjoy. I felt completely transported to the luxurious halls of Versailles. And I loved all the court politics! It was like something from an Austen novel but in a much more easily-accessible form. (I have no issue with Jane Austen, by the way, but I know some people struggle with classic literature!)

Add to this the exquisite magic system and I was giving it major heart-eyes over the descriptions. This was seriously so gorgeous. Yes, there wasn’t a lot of explanation behind how ‘la magie’ worked but I think that would have bogged everything down; the book is almost 500 pages as it stands and I don’t think long-winded explanations would have helped it in any way. I was happy to just suspend my disbelief and go with it.

Trelease excels further in her characterisation. While Camille could at times get a little bit whiney, I liked her for the most part. And I shipped her and Lazare so hard ❤ Because it’s young adult so you know there’s got to be a romance in there somewhere 😉 Honestly though, this was a romance I was definitely cheering for!

I also loved Camille’s sister Sophie (if anyone has read Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series, Sophie reminded me a lot of Ivy!) The villains in the story are also suitably nasty; there are moments when they border on the caricature but Trelease does try to give them decent motives and make them feel fully realised, and I didn’t think she did too bad a job.

Overall, I would say that if you like the sound of this one, you should definitely give it a try! It’s sumptuous and magical and made me feel totally transported. I think this was a great debut and I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author!

---

Let me know in the comments if you’ve read this one and what you thought of it! x

‘The Twisted Tree’ spoiler-free review!

Hello lovelies! Time for another review! I read The Twisted Tree for the recent 24in48 readathon and I enjoyed it, though it wasn’t perfect. Let’s see why, shall we? 🙂

---

Part ghost story, part Nordic thriller – this is a twisty, tense and spooky YA debut, perfect for fans of CORALINE and Michelle Paver.

Martha can tell things about a person just by touching their clothes, as if their emotions and memories have been absorbed into the material. It started the day she fell from the tree at her grandma’s cabin and became blind in one eye.

Determined to understand her strange ability, Martha sets off to visit her grandmother, Mormor – only to discover Mormor is dead, a peculiar boy is in her cabin and a terrifying creature is on the loose.

Then the spinning wheel starts creaking, books move around and terror creeps in…

Set in the remote snows of contemporary Norway, THE TWISTED TREE is a ghost story that twists and turns – and never takes you quite where you’d expect.

---

This was one of my most anticipated releases back in January but I quickly became nervous after hearing some less-than-stellar reviews. So I lowered my expectations accordingly and waited a while to read it. I ended up being pleasantly surprised, though the book is not without its issues.

The book’s setting is definitely one of its strongest points. The desolate Norwegian landscape makes for a suitably atmospheric read that would be perfect for a cold winter’s night. The dark and spooky vibes are abundant. Burge simultaneously writes some lovely imagery and manages to create some much creepier moments than I was expecting.

The story is slow and sinister, and will certainly appeal to fans of the Gothic. I also really appreciated the Norse mythology connections and thought this added an original touch.

Sadly, I did feel like there were moments of missed potential. The book was relatively short and it wouldn’t have hurt to make it a little longer and more developed. I felt that I was left with unanswered questions by the end.

I also couldn’t fully get on board with the romance. For all the fantastical elements of the plot, it was the odd insta-love relationship between Martha and Stig that caused me the most difficulty when suspending my disbelief. Again, there was the potential for some really interesting themes to be explored (such as Martha’s disfigurement and both characters’ grief) but this potential was never fully realised.

Overall though, despite its issues, this was an enjoyable read that I would recommend for fans of atmospheric ghost stories!

What are you all reading lately? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! x

‘Heartstopper’ spoiler-free review!

Hello my lovelies! I’m really struggling to stay on top of blogging this week so I’m sorry for not replying to your comments straightaway – I promise I’ll try to catch up at the weekend! For now, here’s a short and sweet review 🙂

---

Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore, and he’s sort of got a boyfriend, even if he’s kind of mean and only wants to meet up in secret.

Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heard a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him. That is, until the start of January, in which Nick and Charlie are placed in the same form group and made to sit together.

They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…

---

Ok, so the hype is real with this one. I have been wanting to start reading graphic novels for a while and this was totally the perfect place to start. Everything about it is adorable.

I defy anyone to read this and not have their heart stolen by these precious characters. Charlie is the cutest bean and Nick is an actual angel. I loved them both. And I was pleasantly surprised that Alice Oseman could elicit so many feelings from me with so few words. Seriously, these boys must be protected at all costs.

The plot was so awkward and adorable. This is the quality content I want from books, please and thank you. I definitely want to pick up volume two!

The only small issue I had is that I would have loved for the illustrations to have been in colour. I just think they could have been so gorgeous. But even in black and white, it was wonderful and I would definitely recommend it for lovers of contemporary and those of you who might be a bit nervous about trying graphic novels!

Are you a fan of graphic novels? Let me know if you’ve read this one! x