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Everything about this is yes! I just binge read the entire book basically and could not stop. I fell absolutely in love with Hannah and Aaron and connected with them both on the emotional level. I felt the negative characters were well-written as well (Katie, Marcy, Jay). Even though I knew who the father was pretty early on I was not disappointed with the reveal in all aspects.
I do wish that Aaron had a chance to speak with Penny openly about what he fought with Chris about. I feel like he will never have closure if he doesn't get the chance to do that. As for the end of the story and his role in it....perfection.
As for those of you thinking this book is not realistically depicting young teenage British girls...I unfortunately know a few whom resemble the main character and the gang of girls depicted in this novel quite perfectly.
I do wish that Aaron had a chance to speak with Penny openly about what he fought with Chris about. I feel like he will never have closure if he doesn't get the chance to do that. As for the end of the story and his role in it....perfection.
As for those of you thinking this book is not realistically depicting young teenage British girls...I unfortunately know a few whom resemble the main character and the gang of girls depicted in this novel quite perfectly.
NOT SUITABLE FOR TEENS OR CHILDREN.
I enjoyed it very much, but definitely not suitable for the seeming intended audience.
I enjoyed it very much, but definitely not suitable for the seeming intended audience.
I cringed, laughed, and shed a few tears. More review to come.
Trouble brings light to the hard truth of teen pregnancies, the brutal and the ugly. Being a teenager is hard enough without having a child cooking up in your stomach. Non Pratt was rather brave to speak about such a subject and portraying it in a real life way, it brought to light what teenagers are really up to and not what parents are hoping they are doing. The story portrays teenage sex in a way that isn’t shaming the teenagers, it shows it in a way that’s completely normal; which it is.
Hannah and Aaron are two teenagers studying for the GCSE’s, Hannah is a popular girl who likes to have fun, and her mind is on boys rather than school. Aaron is the new guy who seems broody and quiet, complete opposites to each other. Even though the pair don’t know each other that well and are complete opposites when the school finds out that Hannah is pregnant, Aaron steps up and tell everybody he’s the father. For a 15 year old boy, stepping up was so very courageous. I know guys my age who would run for the hills if they were the father, let alone be there for their friend through a pregnancy. The reason why Aaron stepped up for the role wasn’t as innocent as somebody helping out a friend, it was still very brave. Throughout the whole book the question of who is the father of Hannah’s baby is a mystery. Non Pratt did such a great job keeping it that way, there were hardly any clues and when I finally figured it out I was shocked.
Seeing Hannah’s and Aaron’s relationship grow was exciting. Hannah’s announcement of her pregnancy wasn’t her choice, Pratt tackled yet another issue which has been a problem for years. Especially in schools, the constant bullying, the constant sharing of private information between kids in school. Hannah’s pregnancy was announced online, she wasn’t ready to share her news yet. Hannah was therefore quickly pushed off her high status, even her former best friend wasn’t there for her. I wasn’t expecting this book was to be so sex positive. There was no slut shaming (well apart from the assholes in Hannah’s school), or shaming the teenagers for having sex, or the fact that Hannah was pregnant from the adults. Of course there were bumps in the road, her parents weren’t pleased that she was pregnant, there were many obstacles for Hannah and her bump. Having her parents be more supportive than most YA book parents was so nice, I can imagine a lot of real life families who wouldn’t be so quick to be there for their pregnant teen daughter.
I love this story so much. None of the big issues highlighted in the book were romanticised; the pregnancy, how Hannah got pregnant, what happened to Aaron. This was as true to real life as it could possibly get. I haven’t read much British young adult novels, but the ones I have I found them to be far more grittier and hard core than American contemporary novels. Trouble dealt with real problems in real ways, without sugar coating it. Honestly it was such a refreshing book to read, and I am so excited to discover more of Non Pratt’s books.
Hannah and Aaron are two teenagers studying for the GCSE’s, Hannah is a popular girl who likes to have fun, and her mind is on boys rather than school. Aaron is the new guy who seems broody and quiet, complete opposites to each other. Even though the pair don’t know each other that well and are complete opposites when the school finds out that Hannah is pregnant, Aaron steps up and tell everybody he’s the father. For a 15 year old boy, stepping up was so very courageous. I know guys my age who would run for the hills if they were the father, let alone be there for their friend through a pregnancy. The reason why Aaron stepped up for the role wasn’t as innocent as somebody helping out a friend, it was still very brave. Throughout the whole book the question of who is the father of Hannah’s baby is a mystery. Non Pratt did such a great job keeping it that way, there were hardly any clues and when I finally figured it out I was shocked.
Seeing Hannah’s and Aaron’s relationship grow was exciting. Hannah’s announcement of her pregnancy wasn’t her choice, Pratt tackled yet another issue which has been a problem for years. Especially in schools, the constant bullying, the constant sharing of private information between kids in school. Hannah’s pregnancy was announced online, she wasn’t ready to share her news yet. Hannah was therefore quickly pushed off her high status, even her former best friend wasn’t there for her. I wasn’t expecting this book was to be so sex positive. There was no slut shaming (well apart from the assholes in Hannah’s school), or shaming the teenagers for having sex, or the fact that Hannah was pregnant from the adults. Of course there were bumps in the road, her parents weren’t pleased that she was pregnant, there were many obstacles for Hannah and her bump. Having her parents be more supportive than most YA book parents was so nice, I can imagine a lot of real life families who wouldn’t be so quick to be there for their pregnant teen daughter.
I love this story so much. None of the big issues highlighted in the book were romanticised; the pregnancy, how Hannah got pregnant, what happened to Aaron. This was as true to real life as it could possibly get. I haven’t read much British young adult novels, but the ones I have I found them to be far more grittier and hard core than American contemporary novels. Trouble dealt with real problems in real ways, without sugar coating it. Honestly it was such a refreshing book to read, and I am so excited to discover more of Non Pratt’s books.
“There are some things it is best not to repeat. I think I heard most of them in that antenatal class.”
Este libro tenía un gran potencial pero me ha no cumplido con lo que prometía. Mientras lo estaba leyendo varias cosas me han hecho menear la cabeza con desaprobación y no lo he disfrutado tanto como esperaba.
Mis principales problemas con la novela fueron:
1) Es excesivamente larga. Sus casi 400 páginas son ligeras y se leen en un suspiro pero eso no significa que fueran necesarias. La historia se alarga demasiado sin razón y sin llegar a profundizar en ninguno de los temas que trata.
2) Los personajes no evolucionan. Hannah y Aaron, nuestros dos protagonistas, son los mismos al principio que al final de la novela. Es cierto que descubrimos sus secretos pero, más allá del factor ¡qué fuerte!, los personajes no sufren un cambio importante. Aaron no lidia con su pasado en ningún momento, ni llegamos a ver el inicio de su camino para asumirlo Hannah por su parte, apenas reflexiona sobre su situación o su embarazo. Yo no llegué a ver la parte emocional de un embarazo adolescente. No digo que Hannah no debería preocuparse por su físico porque tiene problemas más importantes (es una adolescente y entiendo su fijación) pero ¿eso es lo único que pensaba durante los 9 meses? Altamente improbable.
3)El slut-shaming está totalmente descontrolado en esta novela. Creo que la autora quería ofrecer una reflexión al respecto pero le salió el tiro por la culata. Los comportamientos de todos los personajes a ese respecto son cuestionables y nunca se hace una reflexión real o una crítica a ello. El mensaje que ofrece es muy confuso, lo que es sorprendente dado la facilidad con lo que se insulta o menosprecia a mujeres por ello en este libro.
4) Toda la cuestión de la paternidad me pareció muy mal llevado.
5) Los personajes parecen mayores de lo que son. A menudo tenía que hacer un esfuerzo para recordar que Hannah y Aaron tenían apenas 15 años. Creo que la historia hubiera funcionado mejor si los protagonistas hubieran sido algo más mayores. En la misma línea, me chocaba un poco como los personajes lidian con el alcohol y el sexo dada su edad. No digo que no haya quinceañeros que beban y tengan relaciones sexuales pero la normalidad, la generalidad y lo vulgar de todo ello me resultó chocante.
6)Las escenas sexuales me parecieron un poco voyeurísticas. No estoy en contra de que las historias para adolescentes sean explícitas, pero había algo en las descripciones de esos momentos que me hacían sentir bastante violenta. Para mí, no funcionaron.
7) La relación entre Hannah y Aaron se queda en una zona gris un tanto extraña. Si son sólo amigos, su relación tiene un toque de química y de tensión sexual que lo hace difícil de creer, si van a ser algo más, la parte romántica no se desarrolla lo suficiente como para hacerme ver su interés como pareja. Nos quedamos en un quiero y no puedo que estropea la relación de amistad sin llegar a ofrecer una relación amorosa creíble.
A pesar de todo esto, sí hubo cosas que me gustaron, al fin y al cabo, le estoy dando al libro 3 estrellas. Por un lado, la forma de narrar de Pratt es más que aceptable. La historia fluye con facilidad, engancha y tiene unos diálogos bastante verosímiles. Además, el salto de un punto de vista al otro (Hannah y Aaron van cediéndose el turno para contarnos la historia) funciona muy bien, especialmente porque no se trata de capitulos enteros salteados sino que las narraciones pueden variar desde un par de hojas a un par de líneas. Por otro lado, los personajes protagonistas son interesantes y sus backstories se salen de la norma. Sus vidas son un poco dramáticas pero nada tan exagerado como para hacerlo inverosímil y la verdad es que todo el plan del falso padre (que parece sacado de un fanfic) es entretenido y da sus momentazos.
En resumen, Trouble es un libro ligero y entretenido pero que tiene bastantes lagunas y que a pesar de su aparente liberalismo, transmite algunas ideas bastante conservadoras sobre la sexualidad.
Este libro tenía un gran potencial pero me ha no cumplido con lo que prometía. Mientras lo estaba leyendo varias cosas me han hecho menear la cabeza con desaprobación y no lo he disfrutado tanto como esperaba.
Mis principales problemas con la novela fueron:
1) Es excesivamente larga. Sus casi 400 páginas son ligeras y se leen en un suspiro pero eso no significa que fueran necesarias. La historia se alarga demasiado sin razón y sin llegar a profundizar en ninguno de los temas que trata.
2) Los personajes no evolucionan. Hannah y Aaron, nuestros dos protagonistas, son los mismos al principio que al final de la novela. Es cierto que descubrimos sus secretos pero, más allá del factor ¡qué fuerte!, los personajes no sufren un cambio importante. Aaron no lidia con su pasado en ningún momento, ni llegamos a ver el inicio de su camino para asumirlo Hannah por su parte, apenas reflexiona sobre su situación o su embarazo. Yo no llegué a ver la parte emocional de un embarazo adolescente. No digo que Hannah no debería preocuparse por su físico porque tiene problemas más importantes (es una adolescente y entiendo su fijación) pero ¿eso es lo único que pensaba durante los 9 meses? Altamente improbable.
3)El slut-shaming está totalmente descontrolado en esta novela. Creo que la autora quería ofrecer una reflexión al respecto pero le salió el tiro por la culata. Los comportamientos de todos los personajes a ese respecto son cuestionables y nunca se hace una reflexión real o una crítica a ello.
Spoiler
Más bien parece que está mal slut-shaming a buenas personas y no importa tanto cuando estás hablando de tu enemiga. Al mismo tiempo, parece que todo el slut-shaming que sufre Hannah es totalmente injusto porque en realidad no era tan sexualmente activa como parecía. ¿Significa eso que si lo hubiera sido estaría justificado?4) Toda la cuestión de la paternidad me pareció muy mal llevado.
Spoiler
Entiendo que la autora no quería hacerlo parecer como tal, pero la situación en la que Hannah y su hermanastro tienen relaciones sexuales despierta muchas dudas sobre el consentimiento e incluso sobre la legalidad del asunto. Me parece increíble que dado que su madre trabaja en Planificación Familiar nunca se comenté nada al respecto cuando se descubre el pastel.5) Los personajes parecen mayores de lo que son. A menudo tenía que hacer un esfuerzo para recordar que Hannah y Aaron tenían apenas 15 años. Creo que la historia hubiera funcionado mejor si los protagonistas hubieran sido algo más mayores. En la misma línea, me chocaba un poco como los personajes lidian con el alcohol y el sexo dada su edad. No digo que no haya quinceañeros que beban y tengan relaciones sexuales pero la normalidad, la generalidad y lo vulgar de todo ello me resultó chocante.
6)Las escenas sexuales me parecieron un poco voyeurísticas. No estoy en contra de que las historias para adolescentes sean explícitas, pero había algo en las descripciones de esos momentos que me hacían sentir bastante violenta. Para mí, no funcionaron.
7) La relación entre Hannah y Aaron se queda en una zona gris un tanto extraña. Si son sólo amigos, su relación tiene un toque de química y de tensión sexual que lo hace difícil de creer, si van a ser algo más, la parte romántica no se desarrolla lo suficiente como para hacerme ver su interés como pareja. Nos quedamos en un quiero y no puedo que estropea la relación de amistad sin llegar a ofrecer una relación amorosa creíble.
A pesar de todo esto, sí hubo cosas que me gustaron, al fin y al cabo, le estoy dando al libro 3 estrellas. Por un lado, la forma de narrar de Pratt es más que aceptable. La historia fluye con facilidad, engancha y tiene unos diálogos bastante verosímiles. Además, el salto de un punto de vista al otro (Hannah y Aaron van cediéndose el turno para contarnos la historia) funciona muy bien, especialmente porque no se trata de capitulos enteros salteados sino que las narraciones pueden variar desde un par de hojas a un par de líneas. Por otro lado, los personajes protagonistas son interesantes y sus backstories se salen de la norma. Sus vidas son un poco dramáticas pero nada tan exagerado como para hacerlo inverosímil y la verdad es que todo el plan del falso padre (que parece sacado de un fanfic) es entretenido y da sus momentazos.
En resumen, Trouble es un libro ligero y entretenido pero que tiene bastantes lagunas y que a pesar de su aparente liberalismo, transmite algunas ideas bastante conservadoras sobre la sexualidad.
I enjoyed this book a lot. There were many characters that I could connect with in different ways. One thing that I disliked was the ending. I wish the ending had been more sentimental and meaningful. The ending was a letdown but I really did enjoy the story. It had amazing characters with great bonds and connections. I loved how each character taught each other lessons, especially about friendship. Friendship was a big theme in this book. This book emphasizes how the people who surround us affect us and help us become ourselves.
I really enjoyed Trouble! For a book about unplanned teenage pregnancy and grief it was very entertaining. I zoomed through it in a few days, and times it was really difficult to put down. It’s funny and touching, with a heartfelt message about friendship that I didn’t find cringey. Although I did – as an adult – find all the teenage sex stuff incredibly cringey… But that’s because I’m old now, and they’re too young to be doing that! *tut tut*
Hannah Sheppard has a reputation and she’d be the first to admit that it isn’t unfounded. She and her best friend Katie wear too much make up, not enough clothing, drink in the park and give themselves away to boys cheap. Then she finds herself she is pregnant, at fifteen. And the question of who the father is both mysterious and complicated. Aaron Tyler is the preppy new boy who has trouble fitting in and carries a lot of guilt over a mysterious event in his past. Hannah needs a father for her baby to stop the school gossip and her parents asking questions; Aaron needs to do something to ease his conscience… so he offers to lie for her.
Hannah is an amazing young lady. I am a very different person to her with a very different experience of my teenage years (I’m sensible to a point that is painful to even me... sleeping around underage and drinking in the park are terrifying for me to even think about!), so it was difficult not to be judgement over her early behaviour. Nobody wants to watch somebody sell themselves that cheap, especially not a fifteen year old girl. However the more you read you begin to read between the lines on why she behaved like she did (this book doesn’t need to spell it out), and once she finds out she is pregnant she displays a strength that is admirable and really amazing. She might have made some ill-thought choices but you really can’t help who you fall for, and in the end I had a lot of empathy for her.
Aaron I also liked; he’s intelligent, knows his own mind and is a bit of a geek (although thankfully not in a way that is ever hammered home, just the odd reference). Although the whole ‘mysterious past’ thing was a bit overdone and dragged out when it is really an old cliché. The rest of the cast of characters were also well written generally and were believable teenager types. I only found Jay a bit sketchy but he is absent for most of the story and the rest of the characters tend to idealise him so I can forgive that.
The mystery of who the father is wasn’t much of a mystery for me, but I’m older and I’ve read/watched a lot of stories with similar things happening. It was pretty obvious from the off. I don’t know why that plot is so popular... Because it’s really creepy... But whatever, it seems to be a popular fantasy. The fact I found it a bit predictable is perfectly fine though because it is well written, well characterised and totally engaging. I was never bored reading this!
There are some genuinely sweet messages about friendship and how you know who your real friends are, and that is the support that really matters. Obviously there is also some pretty strong sexual content – just look at that book cover! – So it is for older readers. Non Pratt doesn’t shy away from telling it like it is!
A positive message and inspiring characters, definitely recommended.
Hannah Sheppard has a reputation and she’d be the first to admit that it isn’t unfounded. She and her best friend Katie wear too much make up, not enough clothing, drink in the park and give themselves away to boys cheap. Then she finds herself she is pregnant, at fifteen. And the question of who the father is both mysterious and complicated. Aaron Tyler is the preppy new boy who has trouble fitting in and carries a lot of guilt over a mysterious event in his past. Hannah needs a father for her baby to stop the school gossip and her parents asking questions; Aaron needs to do something to ease his conscience… so he offers to lie for her.
Hannah is an amazing young lady. I am a very different person to her with a very different experience of my teenage years (I’m sensible to a point that is painful to even me... sleeping around underage and drinking in the park are terrifying for me to even think about!), so it was difficult not to be judgement over her early behaviour. Nobody wants to watch somebody sell themselves that cheap, especially not a fifteen year old girl. However the more you read you begin to read between the lines on why she behaved like she did (this book doesn’t need to spell it out), and once she finds out she is pregnant she displays a strength that is admirable and really amazing. She might have made some ill-thought choices but you really can’t help who you fall for, and in the end I had a lot of empathy for her.
Aaron I also liked; he’s intelligent, knows his own mind and is a bit of a geek (although thankfully not in a way that is ever hammered home, just the odd reference). Although the whole ‘mysterious past’ thing was a bit overdone and dragged out when it is really an old cliché. The rest of the cast of characters were also well written generally and were believable teenager types. I only found Jay a bit sketchy but he is absent for most of the story and the rest of the characters tend to idealise him so I can forgive that.
The mystery of who the father is wasn’t much of a mystery for me, but I’m older and I’ve read/watched a lot of stories with similar things happening. It was pretty obvious from the off. I don’t know why that plot is so popular... Because it’s really creepy... But whatever, it seems to be a popular fantasy. The fact I found it a bit predictable is perfectly fine though because it is well written, well characterised and totally engaging. I was never bored reading this!
There are some genuinely sweet messages about friendship and how you know who your real friends are, and that is the support that really matters. Obviously there is also some pretty strong sexual content – just look at that book cover! – So it is for older readers. Non Pratt doesn’t shy away from telling it like it is!
A positive message and inspiring characters, definitely recommended.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This story is told brilliantly with two POVs. Hannah is having fun with the lads, but is about to discover she’s pregnant but who is the dad. Aaron is the new boy in school, escaping his past but what is he running from. The rumour mill starts as teens try to guess the dad, and it doesn’t help that Hannah’s best friend has fallen out with her over not being told sooner. Then Aaron steps up as the dad, except the pair know he isn’t because they never had sex. The way this story is told, their secrets unravel at the perfect moment to build up the anticipation and make it a page turner. I loved this story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Bullying, Death, Sexual content