You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Wow. Ok so first off, for the past 2 years or so Holly has filled that void of a perfect YA read for me, with multiple stories that will honestly stay with me for a long time. I'm starting to sound like one of Toris fans (Tori is the protagonist of this read) so I'll get on with it .. but my point is.. to go from Holly's YA to this adult read .. no words.
The first quarter of the book, I was a little worried it was going to be similar to The Wrong Knickers by Bryony Gordon (which I DNF'd) and that I would find Tori too annoying and self-centered, but everything about this read was what fans of Holly Bourne love; the mixed media, the honesty, the rawness, covers friendships and relationships, it's engaging and it's relatable. It's everything we see in Holly's YA reads but with swear words and a lot of .. or rather lack of, sex. I also massively appreciated everything she conveyed in this read, the expectations of woman in society, the pressure and the crap that comes with age. I feel like it's one of those reads that's like marmite, and even if it's relatable and having moments that really make you laugh, it's also difficult and will hit a nerve, but I still finished this read with a smile.
The first quarter of the book, I was a little worried it was going to be similar to The Wrong Knickers by Bryony Gordon (which I DNF'd) and that I would find Tori too annoying and self-centered, but everything about this read was what fans of Holly Bourne love; the mixed media, the honesty, the rawness, covers friendships and relationships, it's engaging and it's relatable. It's everything we see in Holly's YA reads but with swear words and a lot of .. or rather lack of, sex. I also massively appreciated everything she conveyed in this read, the expectations of woman in society, the pressure and the crap that comes with age. I feel like it's one of those reads that's like marmite, and even if it's relatable and having moments that really make you laugh, it's also difficult and will hit a nerve, but I still finished this read with a smile.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
As usual, Holly Bourne's writing is phenomenal. Her adult debut does not disappoint, and I highly urge everyone to pick it up. It felt like she was in my head; the way she portrayed relationships was so brutally honest and utterly relatable. So many important topics were explored, and I was practically cheering by the end. I really can't rave about this enough, 5/5.
‘I grin at an empty bottle of Cherry Lambrini left upright on someone’s front steps. But the grin quickly morphs into a pang. A pang for being younger. The sort of younger where you drink Cherry Lambrini on your front steps, sucking hard on a fag and talking with wild gesticulations at all the friends around you who are also drunk and talking animatedly about the state of their constantly dramatic lives. I know it isn’t as fun as it looks - I wrote a whole book about how it isn’t as fun as it looks - but it’s not the fun I miss, it’s the fluidity. Where a chance encounter, or an impromptu night out, a wrong turn or a last-minute trip could somehow change everything, alter your direction so utterly - without it ever being too late to change course again if you didn’t like the latest view. Yes, back then I felt lost, but now I feel so stuck.’
I like this Ode to Lost Youth - although I think Tori/Bourne misses that married people/parents feel this sadness and nostalgia too. A decent, quick read. Felt light in places, but very readable.
I like this Ode to Lost Youth - although I think Tori/Bourne misses that married people/parents feel this sadness and nostalgia too. A decent, quick read. Felt light in places, but very readable.
If you like books with great characters, I’d highly recommend this. Tori was a total badass with an enviable career, but she was also layered and complicated and had relatable insecurities. I think that every woman in her 20s and 30s could resonate with some part of Tori’s life (even if we find it hard to admit it to ourselves). What I love so much about Holly Bourne’s writing is how truthfully she captures the female experience in the 21st century.
Tori is one of those characters you love to hate because, when it comes down to it, she’s a total hypocrite. She’s obsessed with remaining “truthful” and true to her honest brand in her writing, while screening every photo posts online to ensure she selects the one where she looks prettiest. There were some aspects of Tori’s character that I disliked (namely her vanity and her inability to share her friends’ joy), but I think that was kind of the point. Holly Bourne created a character that reflected the worst traits most of us possess, accentuated by social media.
Read if you liked: Expectation by Anna Hope - while the writing style differs a lot between these two, the narrative held similar themes.
Synopsis: From the outside Tori seems to have it all, and she has carefully crafted it that way. She’s a successful author, inspirational speaker and influencer (although she sometimes suffers from imposter syndrome) and she has the perfect relationship (even though she and her boyfriend want completely different things and secretly resent each other). Tori is lying to herself and the world as she struggles to come to terms with what she wants.
Tori is one of those characters you love to hate because, when it comes down to it, she’s a total hypocrite. She’s obsessed with remaining “truthful” and true to her honest brand in her writing, while screening every photo posts online to ensure she selects the one where she looks prettiest. There were some aspects of Tori’s character that I disliked (namely her vanity and her inability to share her friends’ joy), but I think that was kind of the point. Holly Bourne created a character that reflected the worst traits most of us possess, accentuated by social media.
Read if you liked: Expectation by Anna Hope - while the writing style differs a lot between these two, the narrative held similar themes.
Synopsis: From the outside Tori seems to have it all, and she has carefully crafted it that way. She’s a successful author, inspirational speaker and influencer (although she sometimes suffers from imposter syndrome) and she has the perfect relationship (even though she and her boyfriend want completely different things and secretly resent each other). Tori is lying to herself and the world as she struggles to come to terms with what she wants.
I wanted to enjoy this book but the main character was really irritating (the boyfriend even more so!) and I think I’m at least a decade too old to relate to it! (Aimed at 25-35 really)
If your that age you may get it but over 40, married with kids it just doesn’t give you anything to relate too.
If your that age you may get it but over 40, married with kids it just doesn’t give you anything to relate too.
Wow, this book was right up my alley! It follows Tori, a successful self-help author in her early 30’s. All of Tori’s friends are either getting married, having kids, or both - while she herself is in a long term relationship with a boyfriend who doesn’t seem to want to talk about any of these things.
Told from Tori’s perspective, this book is witty, unapologetically honest and self aware. It reminds me of Emma Jane Unsworth’s Adults - another book I read earlier this year which explores a similar trope. Both are sarcastic, cynical, and often insecure while still so relatable. Tori definitely has her flaws and can be quite self-absorbed, while I also felt like some parts of the plot dragged on just a tiiiny bit, but I still had a great time devouring it. As a woman in my mid 20’s who’s active on social media, I can definitely identify myself with both Tori and other women that she tends to judge!
Told from Tori’s perspective, this book is witty, unapologetically honest and self aware. It reminds me of Emma Jane Unsworth’s Adults - another book I read earlier this year which explores a similar trope. Both are sarcastic, cynical, and often insecure while still so relatable. Tori definitely has her flaws and can be quite self-absorbed, while I also felt like some parts of the plot dragged on just a tiiiny bit, but I still had a great time devouring it. As a woman in my mid 20’s who’s active on social media, I can definitely identify myself with both Tori and other women that she tends to judge!
Es gibt Dutzende Bücher, die so anfangen: Frau Anfang 30, nach außen hin scheint alles perfekt. Perfekter Job, perfekte Beziehung, perfekte Freundschaften. Doch wie es nun mal so ist – hinter der Fassade ist natürlich überhaupt nichts perfekt. Trotz ihres beruflichen Erfolgs zweifelt Tori permanent an sich selbst, an ihrer Beziehung und hat Mühe, dem gesellschaftlichen Druck standzuhalten.
Welche Erwartungen werden vor allem an Frauen, die die magische 30 überschritten haben, gestellt, wie geht man damit um, wenn die beste Freundin plötzlich nicht nur die erste ernste Beziehung führt und dann auch noch sofort schwanger wird, was passiert mit Beziehungen, bei denen man begonnen hat, neben- statt miteinander zu leben?
„War’s das jetzt“ ist ehrlich und oftmals brutal und es tut extrem weh, zu lesen wie unglücklich Tori ist, aber nicht in der Lage zu sein scheint, etwas daran zu ändern. Ein zum Nachdenken anregender und aktueller Roman über Selbstfindung jenseits der 30.
Welche Erwartungen werden vor allem an Frauen, die die magische 30 überschritten haben, gestellt, wie geht man damit um, wenn die beste Freundin plötzlich nicht nur die erste ernste Beziehung führt und dann auch noch sofort schwanger wird, was passiert mit Beziehungen, bei denen man begonnen hat, neben- statt miteinander zu leben?
„War’s das jetzt“ ist ehrlich und oftmals brutal und es tut extrem weh, zu lesen wie unglücklich Tori ist, aber nicht in der Lage zu sein scheint, etwas daran zu ändern. Ein zum Nachdenken anregender und aktueller Roman über Selbstfindung jenseits der 30.
Holly Bourne is one of my favourite authors and this book really did not disappoint! Though I’m a little younger than the target audience, I understood what the main character was going through and I think that I’ll relate even more as I grow up!
This is Holly Bourne’s first dip into the adult literary world, but I did feel like I could still feel the ricochets of her YA endeavours, and I think that’s why I liked it so much. Also her writing style is like eating a cheese and onion chutney toastie – aka it makes my mouth water and I just want more. Goddamnit, I’m hungry now.
The plot was interesting, as I’m also struggling from writer’s block at the moment! The protagonist, Tori, is a famous author but is suffering majorly from second-book syndrome, and has nothing to write about anymore. I getcha, Tori, I getcha. I also wonder if Bourne is speaking from personal experiences?!
As always in Bourne’s books, there are strong themes of feminism, autonomy, and abusive relationships. The relationship in this book was so familiar to me as well, and I think it’s a really important book for all women out there. If you’re comfortable in a relationship but not happy, it’s not where you’re meant to be.
I’m looking forward to Bourne’s next adventure into adult literature, though I’m still going to finish off her YA series too. I’d love to know your thoughts on this book, as I thought it was brilliant.
This is Holly Bourne’s first dip into the adult literary world, but I did feel like I could still feel the ricochets of her YA endeavours, and I think that’s why I liked it so much. Also her writing style is like eating a cheese and onion chutney toastie – aka it makes my mouth water and I just want more. Goddamnit, I’m hungry now.
The plot was interesting, as I’m also struggling from writer’s block at the moment! The protagonist, Tori, is a famous author but is suffering majorly from second-book syndrome, and has nothing to write about anymore. I getcha, Tori, I getcha. I also wonder if Bourne is speaking from personal experiences?!
As always in Bourne’s books, there are strong themes of feminism, autonomy, and abusive relationships. The relationship in this book was so familiar to me as well, and I think it’s a really important book for all women out there. If you’re comfortable in a relationship but not happy, it’s not where you’re meant to be.
I’m looking forward to Bourne’s next adventure into adult literature, though I’m still going to finish off her YA series too. I’d love to know your thoughts on this book, as I thought it was brilliant.