erinlouise7's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Cancer
unablelemon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
Minor: War
headachesince03's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Misogyny, Cancer, War, Sexism, Ableism, Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death, Lesbophobia, Child death, and Homophobia
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this, but it is a bit of a hard one to recommend.
On the one hand, it is is funny and entertaining, and very close to actual teen life these days.
On the other side, it also covers a lot of harder topics as well, which might be problematic for some readers.
I loved the main character, who isn't very good at dealing with emaotions, and struggles when her best friend has a boyfriend, and she isn't the most important person for her anymore. Her mum is away with "doctors without boarders" which isn't always easy.
The book is very open and direct about sex - and I had a good giggle and the teen reaction to an adult talking to her about sex. It felt very realistic, and the "ewww, don't say that!" had me snort at times.
There's also other topics included. Falling in love for the first time, stress about exams, arguing with the BFF, being overwhelmed by emotions, family troubles, and death do all play a topic.
I will put some of the main themes in a spoler tag at the end, if you want to know what exactly is covered, to see if it is a fit.
Despite a lot of hard stuff being covered, it is overall still a quick and entertaining read. I loved the tone, and breezed through the book in no time at all. I loved the strong female characters, and the mixed cast. From young to old, from nice to grumpy, from outgoing to shy. I love the inclusiion of a character with down syndrom, and it just not being a big deal.
So even if it isn't all roses and sunshine (because life just isn't, is it?) it is a fun book, and not a depressing one. It is about finding your way in life and growing up.
Topics that might be problematic for some:
+ Best friend asks for advice, as the sex with new boyfriend isn't good
+ Side characters brother died of cancer
+ Main character grew up wothout a dad, learns he died from a bomb
+ Mum goes missing for a while, and Phoebe thinks she might be dead (she is not!)
+ Co-worker has lost her husband and gets drunk and needs help cleaning out a very messy flat
+ Other go worker dies of a stroke, including funeral later on
+ Falling in love with another girl, dealing with love overall
On the one hand, it is is funny and entertaining, and very close to actual teen life these days.
On the other side, it also covers a lot of harder topics as well, which might be problematic for some readers.
I loved the main character, who isn't very good at dealing with emaotions, and struggles when her best friend has a boyfriend, and she isn't the most important person for her anymore. Her mum is away with "doctors without boarders" which isn't always easy.
The book is very open and direct about sex - and I had a good giggle and the teen reaction to an adult talking to her about sex. It felt very realistic, and the "ewww, don't say that!" had me snort at times.
There's also other topics included. Falling in love for the first time, stress about exams, arguing with the BFF, being overwhelmed by emotions, family troubles, and death do all play a topic.
I will put some of the main themes in a spoler tag at the end, if you want to know what exactly is covered, to see if it is a fit.
Despite a lot of hard stuff being covered, it is overall still a quick and entertaining read. I loved the tone, and breezed through the book in no time at all. I loved the strong female characters, and the mixed cast. From young to old, from nice to grumpy, from outgoing to shy. I love the inclusiion of a character with down syndrom, and it just not being a big deal.
So even if it isn't all roses and sunshine (because life just isn't, is it?) it is a fun book, and not a depressing one. It is about finding your way in life and growing up.
Topics that might be problematic for some:
Spoiler
+ Side characters brother died of cancer
+ Main character grew up wothout a dad, learns he died from a bomb
+ Mum goes missing for a while, and Phoebe thinks she might be dead (she is not!)
+ Co-worker has lost her husband and gets drunk and needs help cleaning out a very messy flat
+ Other go worker dies of a stroke, including funeral later on
+ Falling in love with another girl, dealing with love overall
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer and Grief
kateelissa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Grief
charlottesomewhere's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
This is a lovely story of friendship, family and romance set mostly in a charity shop. I loved all the characters but Phoebe and Kate especially. I didn't want to put this one down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Medical content
questingnotcoasting's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
I loved this. I often enjoy contemporary YA books, especially when they're set in the UK, but this one felt particularly special. Phoebe is a great protagonist. She's brilliantly sarcastic and really feels like an authentic teenager. The other characters are all interesting and the relationships between them are really well developed.
It's a very funny book overall but it also explores some deeper themes of parental abandonment and grief. I loved the diary format and the sense of humour reminded me of the Georgia Nicolson books. Having also worked in a charity shop I found Phoebe's descriptions of her experience very relatable and amusing.
It's a very funny book overall but it also explores some deeper themes of parental abandonment and grief. I loved the diary format and the sense of humour reminded me of the Georgia Nicolson books. Having also worked in a charity shop I found Phoebe's descriptions of her experience very relatable and amusing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Terminal illness
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cancer
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