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Trouble is a novel that has not received the hype and attention that it deserves. It was recommended to me by fellow blogger Becky at Blogs of a Bookaholic, and when I found it at my library, sitting on the new releases shelf, untouched, I eagerly grabbed it, knowing that Becky and I share a lot of similar tastes in books. After reading it in less than 48 hours, I have to say that Trouble was the most candid, honest, and raw contemporary of 2014 that I’ve read, and that Non Pratt is absolutely brilliant in her portrayal of teenagers and their school and family lives.
First off, yes this book features teen pregnancy, yet I’m hesitant to call it a book about teen pregnancy because it’s so much more than that. Pratt manages to write a book about a hot-topic “issue” without making it feel like an ISSUE. This isn’t a morality tale or a soapbox for slut-shaming or preaching the consequences of bad decisions. This is a book centered on two distinct characters with two distinct voices, and how each have their share of hopes, fears, regrets, and joys, and Hannah is NOT defined by her pregnancy, rather it serves as a platform for her to grow into herself and learn to value herself. By no means is Pratt condoning nor shaming teenage pregnancy, rather she is showing how Hannah utilizes a controversial situation to find herself through how she handles (and chooses) her consequences.
I think where Pratt really shines as an author and where Trouble is a really fantastic novel is in the portrayal of flawed characters, and how they are not “perfect” but readers still can’t help but root for them to want to overcome their obstacles and succeed. Neither Hannah nor Aaron is inherently, instantly “likeable,” yet I found myself liking them in spite of their less-than-impressive behavior (at least at the beginning). Take Hannah, for instance. Pratt is pretty uncensored in her portrayal of teenage partying, from sexuality to alcohol abuse to cliques and fighting. Part of me wanted to dislike Hannah because of some of the choices she makes, especially her seeming lack of respect for herself in the way that she presents herself to her male peers and whom she initially befriends. Yet I found myself liking Hannah in spite of her questionable choices, for attributes other than her popularity or her sexuality, which she’s reduced down to in the beginning. Through the narrative Hannah becomes determined, insightful, and resilient, choosing to keep her baby and buck some of her bad habits for the greater good of her pregnancy, her plucky courage and candid narrative blending complimentary to Aaron’s quiet yet haunted narrative, and the both of them feed off each other, exposing each others’ secrets and helping each other heal, all the while showing the importance of having your first, true best friend, who’s importance doesn’t hinge on them becoming a love interest.
What I also really enjoyed about Trouble was that it wasn’t an isolated narrative about Hannah and Aaron, it was a narrative that included their families as well. There’s no absentee parenting here or oblivious siblings, rather both families have fleshed out relationships with their children (for better or for worse) and both families have to deal realistically with the implications of having a pregnant fifteen year old in their care. I found Hannah’s mother to be one of the more interesting adults in the books, as she’s a nurse at a Family Planning Clinic and then has to learn to practice the counseling and tolerance she gives to young mothers she helps at work to her own daughter. Hannah’s grandmother is also an awesome character, who is an advocate of Hannah making her own choices for herself and her baby from the very beginning, rather than being biased from a generational perspective.
Overall: I also would like to point out that Trouble is a British novel, and I think this is partly why it’s a grittier contemporary (just compare the British and US covers!), more so than any YA American contemporary I’ve read, and I really appreciate the realistic portrayal. It’s just so honest, and it’s an honest story about two individuals more than it is anything else, even teen pregnancy. I’m really happy to have read this and seen a contemporary YA that doesn’t shy away from taboo topics or subtly dance around them, but faces them head on, ugliness and all.
This review was originally posted at Girl in the Pages.
First off, yes this book features teen pregnancy, yet I’m hesitant to call it a book about teen pregnancy because it’s so much more than that. Pratt manages to write a book about a hot-topic “issue” without making it feel like an ISSUE. This isn’t a morality tale or a soapbox for slut-shaming or preaching the consequences of bad decisions. This is a book centered on two distinct characters with two distinct voices, and how each have their share of hopes, fears, regrets, and joys, and Hannah is NOT defined by her pregnancy, rather it serves as a platform for her to grow into herself and learn to value herself. By no means is Pratt condoning nor shaming teenage pregnancy, rather she is showing how Hannah utilizes a controversial situation to find herself through how she handles (and chooses) her consequences.
I think where Pratt really shines as an author and where Trouble is a really fantastic novel is in the portrayal of flawed characters, and how they are not “perfect” but readers still can’t help but root for them to want to overcome their obstacles and succeed. Neither Hannah nor Aaron is inherently, instantly “likeable,” yet I found myself liking them in spite of their less-than-impressive behavior (at least at the beginning). Take Hannah, for instance. Pratt is pretty uncensored in her portrayal of teenage partying, from sexuality to alcohol abuse to cliques and fighting. Part of me wanted to dislike Hannah because of some of the choices she makes, especially her seeming lack of respect for herself in the way that she presents herself to her male peers and whom she initially befriends. Yet I found myself liking Hannah in spite of her questionable choices, for attributes other than her popularity or her sexuality, which she’s reduced down to in the beginning. Through the narrative Hannah becomes determined, insightful, and resilient, choosing to keep her baby and buck some of her bad habits for the greater good of her pregnancy, her plucky courage and candid narrative blending complimentary to Aaron’s quiet yet haunted narrative, and the both of them feed off each other, exposing each others’ secrets and helping each other heal, all the while showing the importance of having your first, true best friend, who’s importance doesn’t hinge on them becoming a love interest.
What I also really enjoyed about Trouble was that it wasn’t an isolated narrative about Hannah and Aaron, it was a narrative that included their families as well. There’s no absentee parenting here or oblivious siblings, rather both families have fleshed out relationships with their children (for better or for worse) and both families have to deal realistically with the implications of having a pregnant fifteen year old in their care. I found Hannah’s mother to be one of the more interesting adults in the books, as she’s a nurse at a Family Planning Clinic and then has to learn to practice the counseling and tolerance she gives to young mothers she helps at work to her own daughter. Hannah’s grandmother is also an awesome character, who is an advocate of Hannah making her own choices for herself and her baby from the very beginning, rather than being biased from a generational perspective.
Overall: I also would like to point out that Trouble is a British novel, and I think this is partly why it’s a grittier contemporary (just compare the British and US covers!), more so than any YA American contemporary I’ve read, and I really appreciate the realistic portrayal. It’s just so honest, and it’s an honest story about two individuals more than it is anything else, even teen pregnancy. I’m really happy to have read this and seen a contemporary YA that doesn’t shy away from taboo topics or subtly dance around them, but faces them head on, ugliness and all.
This review was originally posted at Girl in the Pages.
After taking a long hiatus from reading my goal is to read more in 2022. I picked this up from a thrift shop for $1 because the cover was interesting. Such a heart warming, easy read. I liked how the dual narrative went back and forth quite quickly, as if you were in each persons mind at the same time.
Well, this book didn't disappoint. I didn't expect much but I really enjoyed the whole story from start to finish. The characters showed so much growth within each book and the relationships that were being created just made the series that much better for all the loose ends to be tied. I loved the relationship between the two main characters and how they overcome their differences and work through the dilemma that they are in.
I was surprised with how much I actually enjoyed this book. I expected it to be maybe a 2 star review kind of book, but once I started reading it I couldn't stop. It was definitely different from any other YA contemporary I have ever read, and I appreciated the message the book holds.
"Trouble" is a book about a 15 year old girl, Hannah, who becomes pregnant and has no one to turn to. Until Aaron comes a long and volunteers to be the father of her unborn baby, although he is not the father himself. It's actually really difficult to write a summary about this book without giving to much away so i'll leave it at that.
I don't typically pick up underage pregnancy books because A) I never hear anyone talking about them, and B) I have some strange fear of becoming pregnant so whenever I read underage pregnancy books I get heaps of anxiety, which isn't fun.
But after hearing this book is centered around a PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP as opposed to a romantic one I just had to read it honestly. I feel like YA favors romance way too much that they often skip over great opportunities to showcase a great platonic relationship (-cough- Crown of Midnight -cough-
). It's important to let readers, especially young readers at that, know that romance isn't everything and you can have great fulfilling platonic relationships as well as romantic ones.
The great things about this book:
- The relationship between Hannah and Aaron is amazing. There are no romantic intentions involved, it's simply a very strong and fulfilling platonic relationship.
- The writing was also really good.The dual narrative of the book made for a very interesting, and fast read.
- The sex positivity, and whole family dynamic was pretty great. In no way is Hannah ever shamed by her family for having sex. The people that shame her the most are actually her classmates, and the people that she thought were her friends.
- Neville and Hannah's grandmother are instead seen as friends as opposed to "mystical and wise old people" that is so often portrayed in any genre.
Some Stuff I didn't find to great about this book:
- I felt that Hannah, at points in the novel, was just so dumb? I also felt her character didn't develop that much throughout the course of the book
-
- I found some of the bullying was too far fetched for high school students honestly.
- I felt that certain things weren't resolved, and it kind of ended abruptly.
All in all I did enjoy this book a lot. It was fast, fun, and a perfect spring time read. The reason why this book is a 4 star, in my opinion, is because of Aaron and Hannah's friendship, which deserved a whole star. I highly recommend this book, and i'll be on the look out for other books by Non Pratt.
"Trouble" is a book about a 15 year old girl, Hannah, who becomes pregnant and has no one to turn to. Until Aaron comes a long and volunteers to be the father of her unborn baby, although he is not the father himself. It's actually really difficult to write a summary about this book without giving to much away so i'll leave it at that.
I don't typically pick up underage pregnancy books because A) I never hear anyone talking about them, and B) I have some strange fear of becoming pregnant so whenever I read underage pregnancy books I get heaps of anxiety, which isn't fun.
But after hearing this book is centered around a PLATONIC RELATIONSHIP as opposed to a romantic one I just had to read it honestly. I feel like YA favors romance way too much that they often skip over great opportunities to showcase a great platonic relationship (-cough- Crown of Midnight -cough-
). It's important to let readers, especially young readers at that, know that romance isn't everything and you can have great fulfilling platonic relationships as well as romantic ones.
The great things about this book:
- The relationship between Hannah and Aaron is amazing. There are no romantic intentions involved, it's simply a very strong and fulfilling platonic relationship.
- The writing was also really good.The dual narrative of the book made for a very interesting, and fast read.
- The sex positivity, and whole family dynamic was pretty great. In no way is Hannah ever shamed by her family for having sex. The people that shame her the most are actually her classmates, and the people that she thought were her friends.
- Neville and Hannah's grandmother are instead seen as friends as opposed to "mystical and wise old people" that is so often portrayed in any genre.
Some Stuff I didn't find to great about this book:
- I felt that Hannah, at points in the novel, was just so dumb? I also felt her character didn't develop that much throughout the course of the book
-
Spoiler
The fact that although Hannah was 15 at the time that she had sex with Jay, who was 18 or 19, and in the UK the legal age of consent is 16, which ultimately makes Jay a rapist, but it wasn't explored at all or even mentioned in the book? I found that quite odd in my opinion.- I found some of the bullying was too far fetched for high school students honestly.
- I felt that certain things weren't resolved, and it kind of ended abruptly.
All in all I did enjoy this book a lot. It was fast, fun, and a perfect spring time read. The reason why this book is a 4 star, in my opinion, is because of Aaron and Hannah's friendship, which deserved a whole star. I highly recommend this book, and i'll be on the look out for other books by Non Pratt.
I picked this book up on a whim, I was coming off a massive fantasy read and I wanted something different. Boy did I get the unexpected in such a raw yet touching story of a teen girl. I was most impressed with how real the characters felt to me. Hannah and Aarons relationship felt tangible and was so wonderfully done. SO excited for more from Non Pratt!
Me and my lovely friend Erica @ Tangled in the Willows did a book swap a few weeks ago and I've only just got round to blogging about it *slaps wrist*. I gave her my treasured copy of 'All The Bright Places' by Jennifer Niven which she LOVED and I got her copy of Non Pratt's 'Trouble' that blew me away. 'Trouble' is definitely the sort of book I'd recommend reading - it's funny, light but still blows exposure onto some serious and important issues that surround a lot of YA readers.
Apart from that eye-catching cover, the best thing about this book is the plot twist (or big reveal? Not sure how to describe it). About half-way through I did see it coming but it's the sort twist that you sit there debating whether the author will be daring enough to go through with it. And Pratt is very daring. She pushed that plot twist all the way and then some, dribbling out the last of the character's secrets right until the end. This is definitely a shocker of a book, it's ready to make your breath catch in your throat.
Another very lovable feature of Pratt's debut was how open and honest it was. She didn't dress up the subject of teen pregnancy in any way but didn't dress it down either. Not that I've had any experience of it, but you can see the authenticity of the story - it wasn't airbrushed so you could see how some parts of it end up being very negative. And, through Pratt's masterful writing skills, you can also see the beauty of the experience. As a reader who's not a fan of pregnancy or children in anyway, even I could see some the softer and emotive events that occur and how tender the relationship between daughter and mother can be.
I was also a huge fan of some the lighter, even funnier moments. Pratt showed how everything does have its best moments and that not everything is doom and gloom. One of our favourite moments was at the start of the novel when Hannah (accidentally) hits Aaron with her car door - it may be more of a 'you have to read it' sort of thing but it is definitely a highlight. The author managed to be humorous without being sounding forced, making it an absolute delight to indulge in.
The characters were one of the books best traits. Aaron was detailed in such a way that you really couldn't help but love the guy - he was just too lovely and protective. His unnecessary guilt also caused me so much frustration - I'd love to go into the politics of it but I don't want to ruin anything. It was Neville who took pride of place in my heart. He, along with the other elderly characters in the novel, were presented in a way that is so different to a lot of other YA novels - they weren't these 'evil' people who don't understand the youth but act more as friends to the younger characters. But Neville was just so funny and open that he really was, in my opinion, one of the best characters in the book.
All of the characters just appeared so real too. Their personalities felt so natural and easy to read that you could really imagine them as your friends, your family or even just your neighbors. However. I did have one problem with them. They definitely did not sound their age. There is no way in hell that Hannah etc were only 15, 16 maybe but definitely not 15. It was this that lost a bit of that lovely realism for me and knocked off a bit of that love. Maybe Pratt needed to reduce how powerful and 'educated' the characters were - if anything, she's written them too well.
Get yourself a copy of this book - not only will it look good on your shelf but it'll make you laugh, smile and cry. It is written in such a way that makes the story real enough to allow full a full escape from the real world, you can't say no to that can you?
Apart from that eye-catching cover, the best thing about this book is the plot twist (or big reveal? Not sure how to describe it). About half-way through I did see it coming but it's the sort twist that you sit there debating whether the author will be daring enough to go through with it. And Pratt is very daring. She pushed that plot twist all the way and then some, dribbling out the last of the character's secrets right until the end. This is definitely a shocker of a book, it's ready to make your breath catch in your throat.
“It's too much to be forgiven when all you want is to be blamed."
Another very lovable feature of Pratt's debut was how open and honest it was. She didn't dress up the subject of teen pregnancy in any way but didn't dress it down either. Not that I've had any experience of it, but you can see the authenticity of the story - it wasn't airbrushed so you could see how some parts of it end up being very negative. And, through Pratt's masterful writing skills, you can also see the beauty of the experience. As a reader who's not a fan of pregnancy or children in anyway, even I could see some the softer and emotive events that occur and how tender the relationship between daughter and mother can be.
I was also a huge fan of some the lighter, even funnier moments. Pratt showed how everything does have its best moments and that not everything is doom and gloom. One of our favourite moments was at the start of the novel when Hannah (accidentally) hits Aaron with her car door - it may be more of a 'you have to read it' sort of thing but it is definitely a highlight. The author managed to be humorous without being sounding forced, making it an absolute delight to indulge in.
“There are some things it are best not to repeat. I think I heard most of them in that antenatal class.”
The characters were one of the books best traits. Aaron was detailed in such a way that you really couldn't help but love the guy - he was just too lovely and protective. His unnecessary guilt also caused me so much frustration - I'd love to go into the politics of it but I don't want to ruin anything. It was Neville who took pride of place in my heart. He, along with the other elderly characters in the novel, were presented in a way that is so different to a lot of other YA novels - they weren't these 'evil' people who don't understand the youth but act more as friends to the younger characters. But Neville was just so funny and open that he really was, in my opinion, one of the best characters in the book.
All of the characters just appeared so real too. Their personalities felt so natural and easy to read that you could really imagine them as your friends, your family or even just your neighbors. However. I did have one problem with them. They definitely did not sound their age. There is no way in hell that Hannah etc were only 15, 16 maybe but definitely not 15. It was this that lost a bit of that lovely realism for me and knocked off a bit of that love. Maybe Pratt needed to reduce how powerful and 'educated' the characters were - if anything, she's written them too well.
Get yourself a copy of this book - not only will it look good on your shelf but it'll make you laugh, smile and cry. It is written in such a way that makes the story real enough to allow full a full escape from the real world, you can't say no to that can you?
Charming, honest novel about teenage relationships.
(Originally published on my blog, Ashleigh Online.)
I sped through Trouble in a matter of hours. Don’t you just love a book that flows so nicely you forget you’re even reading? It’s like watching a movie in your mind. I was fully immersed, oblivious to the world around me and entirely invested in the Hannah and Aaron’s beautiful story.
There was no sugar coating to be found, and the actual pregnancy side of things wasn’t talked about much (I’m talking symptoms, obviously the whole book revolves around Hannah’s pregnancy). That wasn’t the important bit. What were important were the relationships that were blossoming and others that were breaking down.
I’ve often found split narratives to be hit and miss, but Non Pratt achieved two distinct voices that didn’t confuse me in the slightest. They both felt absolutely true to life, like genuine teenagers with real friendships and realistic attitudes towards sex. Hannah and Aaron’s alternative points of view were addictive, and the secrets they both held close to their hearts had me hooked.
Hannah’s voice is funny, honest and bold, while Aaron’s is calmer, softer but also somehow sadder. They make a spectacularly contrasting pair, but their stories and perspectives created the perfect momentum to keep the story rolling at an engaging pace.
Another plus is the fact that it’s set in the UK. It’s always a bonus for me to read a UKYA book, because coming from the UK myself, I find them to be more relatable, with more familiar language, environments and culture than books set in America.
However much I loved Trouble, and I’m sure you will too, I can’t quite give it five stars for a couple of reasons. The first is that I found it hard to believe that Aaron’s parents would agree to let him pretend to be the father of Hannah’s baby. They put up a bit of a fight, yes, but it’s one element of the book that I found quite unrealistic, particularly given Aaron’s past.
I also found the ending to be quite abrupt and I still have so many questions that I know will never be answered, leaving me with a slight feeling of disappointment despite my overall love of the book.
But I’m super-excited to start reading Remix, Non’s second novel set to arrive in June, and it’s just been revealed that she’s got two further books on the go, one set to be released in 2016 and the other the following year.
(Originally published on my blog, Ashleigh Online.)
I sped through Trouble in a matter of hours. Don’t you just love a book that flows so nicely you forget you’re even reading? It’s like watching a movie in your mind. I was fully immersed, oblivious to the world around me and entirely invested in the Hannah and Aaron’s beautiful story.
There was no sugar coating to be found, and the actual pregnancy side of things wasn’t talked about much (I’m talking symptoms, obviously the whole book revolves around Hannah’s pregnancy). That wasn’t the important bit. What were important were the relationships that were blossoming and others that were breaking down.
I’ve often found split narratives to be hit and miss, but Non Pratt achieved two distinct voices that didn’t confuse me in the slightest. They both felt absolutely true to life, like genuine teenagers with real friendships and realistic attitudes towards sex. Hannah and Aaron’s alternative points of view were addictive, and the secrets they both held close to their hearts had me hooked.
Hannah’s voice is funny, honest and bold, while Aaron’s is calmer, softer but also somehow sadder. They make a spectacularly contrasting pair, but their stories and perspectives created the perfect momentum to keep the story rolling at an engaging pace.
Another plus is the fact that it’s set in the UK. It’s always a bonus for me to read a UKYA book, because coming from the UK myself, I find them to be more relatable, with more familiar language, environments and culture than books set in America.
However much I loved Trouble, and I’m sure you will too, I can’t quite give it five stars for a couple of reasons. The first is that I found it hard to believe that Aaron’s parents would agree to let him pretend to be the father of Hannah’s baby. They put up a bit of a fight, yes, but it’s one element of the book that I found quite unrealistic, particularly given Aaron’s past.
I also found the ending to be quite abrupt and I still have so many questions that I know will never be answered, leaving me with a slight feeling of disappointment despite my overall love of the book.
But I’m super-excited to start reading Remix, Non’s second novel set to arrive in June, and it’s just been revealed that she’s got two further books on the go, one set to be released in 2016 and the other the following year.
More like 4.5, maybe even 4.75 stars.
I found this book to be really easy to read. Loved the use of two narrators as well, and it had a purpose unlike some other books. I thought each character, and their storyline, was well developed. Could have carried on reading about the story, discovering how the relationship between the two characters developed and how Hannah would cope with motherhood.
All in all a very good book, that constantly keep you guessing about everything! (But who calls their baby girl Tyler?)
I found this book to be really easy to read. Loved the use of two narrators as well, and it had a purpose unlike some other books. I thought each character, and their storyline, was well developed. Could have carried on reading about the story, discovering how the relationship between the two characters developed and how Hannah would cope with motherhood.
All in all a very good book, that constantly keep you guessing about everything! (But who calls their baby girl Tyler?)
I was drawn to the book by the cover and the description on the back. I thought that it was a good book but there were many things that could have happened that didn't and I also think that it isn't what I would usually go for. I had expected things to go very differently than it had. I would still recommend this book to someone that would like this sort of thing.