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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Amazing heartfelt storytelling in this YA romance fiction. Maybe juvenile in some aspects but it is YA, primarily it is the story of a girl struggling with a brain injury and her recovery whilst falling in love with a forgotten friend, the boy next door!
These two teenagers support each other through their difficulties and learn what’s important to themselves in true coming of age style.
Whilst serious topics are covered which puts this squarely in the older YA spectrum it is still light and soft without the whole book pulling you down, it shows that through tragedy and life changing difficulties there is still life to live and happiness to be found
I received this book from NetGalley as an Arc and provided my honest review.
These two teenagers support each other through their difficulties and learn what’s important to themselves in true coming of age style.
Whilst serious topics are covered which puts this squarely in the older YA spectrum it is still light and soft without the whole book pulling you down, it shows that through tragedy and life changing difficulties there is still life to live and happiness to be found
I received this book from NetGalley as an Arc and provided my honest review.
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
sad
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really think this book change my perspective.
'The Boy Next Door' is told from duel POVs. It follows Finbar and Molly, neighbours who were once childhood best friends until a tragic event changed everything when they were 9. They are now 17 and have nothing to do with each other until a life-changing event occurs and they are reconnected.
This book is about becoming who you want to be rather than who others want you to be as well as second chances. The story is about healing whilst facing adversity, personal growth and supporting others.
A fast read, the author handles sensitive issues beautifully, they are balanced both with the characters and within the story. Perfect YA.
Issues covered include death of a parent, grief, eating disorder, traumatic health event, anxiety, overcontrolling parent and a distant parent.
This book is about becoming who you want to be rather than who others want you to be as well as second chances. The story is about healing whilst facing adversity, personal growth and supporting others.
A fast read, the author handles sensitive issues beautifully, they are balanced both with the characters and within the story. Perfect YA.
Issues covered include death of a parent, grief, eating disorder, traumatic health event, anxiety, overcontrolling parent and a distant parent.
A special thanks to Penguin and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this book to review.
A story about self discovery, grief and rekindling friendships.
Such a genuinely beautiful story that touches on a lot of important topics and themes.
Loved the dual perspective from both MCs.
TW: Surgery, Grief, Loss
A story about self discovery, grief and rekindling friendships.
Such a genuinely beautiful story that touches on a lot of important topics and themes.
Loved the dual perspective from both MCs.
TW: Surgery, Grief, Loss
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Enjoyed this one a lot - didn't want to put it down.
I found the characters to be relatable throughout the story (even the health scare) so very well done to the author for that.
Highly recommend this to all readers
I found the characters to be relatable throughout the story (even the health scare) so very well done to the author for that.
Highly recommend this to all readers
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
My thoughts on this book are conflicting. It dealt with some major themes: encephalitis, eating disorders, and loss of a parent, and I think it did a good job of raising awareness on these. However, it did feel rushed at times. The ending was a bit cheesy, which I guess is kind of expected in a YA romance, and it made my heart swell up, so I'm not going to complain.
The core thing for Molly was her negative thoughts surrounding her body, instilled in her by her mother. She was mean, and her dad was passive, which was just as bad. Finbar was living a life that had frozen in time and everything had turned grey.
One thing the author dealt with well was talking about encephalitis, a serious brain condition that can come on suddenly and can drastically change a person's life. I always like learning about different conditions through an author who has experienced it or something similar, and decided to write about it. I will say that the use of the One Mind charity could have been established better. We saw it used by Molly a few times before it kind of disappeared, only being brought back with the gesture for her at the end. I would have liked to see a different way it can support someone.
Molly's negative views on body image echoed throughout the entire book. My heart broke for her every time she said something that parroted a cruel thing her mother had said about her body. This issue was the same with her vitiligo, which felt like it went under the radar a bit. I know her dad tried to explain her mother's behaviour at the end, but it can never excuse or justify it, and that is a hill I will die on.
The story did well when talking about how the sudden loss of a parent, especially at a young age, can affect someone. Finbar and his family were stuck, surrounded by grief that was avoided rather than supported by one another. They all struggle in isolation, even though they'd suffered the same loss. Although it took a long while, seeing the family coming back together out of love, rather than the sadness and loneliness they'd experienced was beautiful. It wasn't moving on or forgetting their mother, it was remembering and keeping her alive.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book to read. I'm always grateful for books and authors that introduce me to things I was unaware of before. 3.5 ⭐
The core thing for Molly was her negative thoughts surrounding her body, instilled in her by her mother. She was mean, and her dad was passive, which was just as bad. Finbar was living a life that had frozen in time and everything had turned grey.
One thing the author dealt with well was talking about encephalitis, a serious brain condition that can come on suddenly and can drastically change a person's life. I always like learning about different conditions through an author who has experienced it or something similar, and decided to write about it. I will say that the use of the One Mind charity could have been established better. We saw it used by Molly a few times before it kind of disappeared, only being brought back with the gesture for her at the end. I would have liked to see a different way it can support someone.
Molly's negative views on body image echoed throughout the entire book. My heart broke for her every time she said something that parroted a cruel thing her mother had said about her body. This issue was the same with her vitiligo, which felt like it went under the radar a bit. I know her dad tried to explain her mother's behaviour at the end, but it can never excuse or justify it, and that is a hill I will die on.
The story did well when talking about how the sudden loss of a parent, especially at a young age, can affect someone. Finbar and his family were stuck, surrounded by grief that was avoided rather than supported by one another. They all struggle in isolation, even though they'd suffered the same loss. Although it took a long while, seeing the family coming back together out of love, rather than the sadness and loneliness they'd experienced was beautiful. It wasn't moving on or forgetting their mother, it was remembering and keeping her alive.
Overall, it was an enjoyable book to read. I'm always grateful for books and authors that introduce me to things I was unaware of before. 3.5 ⭐
medium-paced
I love most the polt except the last part with the ending which made me think it's sweet but also what the fuck