Reviews

Unboxed by Non Pratt

bethanychristou's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

A touching and sweet story of friendship. After years of drifting apart, a group of teenagers are reunited at the dying wish of their friend Millie.

kbread's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

patchworkbunny's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Unboxed is a great example of how you don’t need many pages to really care about a group of characters. The story is set over a day, when the former friends reunite and fetch the time capsule from the school’s roof. It’s about friendships and memories, and letting go of secrets.

Alix never told anyone she was gay whilst Zara has her rich, older boyfriend in tow. Friendly Ben moved to an exciting new life in London and Dean’s the bad boy of the group… but maybe things haven’t been easy for any of them.

This edition is also dyslexia friendly, partly the length of the book is designed to be appealing to non-readers but also the font is apparently easier to focus on and the paper is thick and a very pale yellow, to prevent the text from the other side showing through and distracting the eye.

Good things come in small packages and I loved this little novella. Non Pratt is so good at friendship stories.

janaybrazier's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I went into reading this book not really knowing much about it. I picked it based on the cover and the fact that it wasn't very long and I wanted another book for my 24 hour readathon. This was the first book I read for the readathon and I struggled not to cry. It made me very teary and it was an emotional read. The relationship between the characters is a beautiful thing and when they are all together to open this box and read their letters, it's truly an incredible moment between them all. I recommend this book, it's brilliant.

powisamy's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I loved this book! So good!

biblioamyy's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

This book was short and sweet. It was a nice little break to read this because of all the series/trilogies I have been reading :)

therese_24's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

*4.5

aelynreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

My eyes are still leaking from this book. THIS IS WHY I STAY AWAY FROM CONTEMPORARIES. Unboxed is a whirlwind of emotion packed into a short story of friendship, loss and what you're left with when friends grow apart.

"I know why we all fell apart, that's just what happens. But things that fall apart can be put back together, right? Even if there's a piece missing."

The book focuses on a group of childhood friends, Alix, Ben, Dean and Zara, who haven't seen each other in 5 years since they each moved away from their home town. Now at eighteen, they're meeting up at their old school to unpack a memory box that they made together when they were thirteen. Only they're missing the fifth member of their group, Millie, who died three months ago of stomach cancer. As they go through the contents of the box, the now-strangers relive their old memories, grieve for their lost friend and try to figure out what is left of their friendships.

"I'm regretting giving away my lesbian napkins."

This book knocked me for six. I was not expecting such a raw punch of emotion from such a short story. What struck me most was how realistic this book felt. It's written how teenagers talk. The pieces from the past were written exactly how thirteen year olds talk. I felt fully immersed in the lives of these realistic and relatable characters, which is quite an achievement for such a short book. As always with short stories, you do miss out on some of the character development that a longer book facilitates, but Non Pratt did a brilliant job of ensuring the reader still understands and feels connected to each character. I even feel like I know Millie, who was only present in the book as a memory. The awkward reunion and reclaiming of lost friendships was fantastically written, and the characters coming together and re-bonding in shared grief was emotional to read.

"I finally know that Zara and Dean and Ben have always been the people I hoped they were."

I would say this short story about friendship and grief packs a real emotional punch that will leave me reeling for days. I would highly recommend this book to any YA readers.

luweebayy's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I started off a bit hesitant with this book but by the end I was lapping it up trying not to cry. Definitely not a book to read when you’re feeling too emotional!

sophiebxox's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5