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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
BE AWARE: this book contains the non consensual sharing of a photo of a thirteen year old girl wearing a see through bra. There is also some kissing and over the clothes touching.
I love Tamsin Winter. Girl (in real life) was one of my favourite books of 2021, and I've been looking forward to this one. Tamsin seems to have a line straight into the minds of teenage girls, and she knows how to present it in a way that's clear and easy to follow without being patronising.
Much like Tamsin, I am always grateful that I grew up (::cough::just::cough::) before social media was a thing. Puberty is tricky enough without having all your failings immortalised for everyone to look at forever, as happens here to Amelia. As often happens, from our position outside the story, it's easy to see what's happening - with her father, with the bullying and with Evan - but Tamsin makes it easy to sympathise with Amelia, too, and to understand why she takes the actions she does. (No spoilers, but I very nearly cheered at a certain scene near the end!) There are a few scenes that are difficult to read, just because of the subject matter, but it's such a good read I got past that.
If we're lucky, this book will spark a few conversations and maybe make a few people rethink their actions and behaviours. It absolutely should be in every classroom, read and discussed in book clubs, and ideally part of the school curriculum - it's that important and that well written. Just a fabulous read all around, I really enjoyed it, and I tore through it in a day!
I will read anything Tamsin produces; Girl has a special place in my heart, but this is very nearly unseating it.
(And, in an amusing coincidence, the Irish Gardai have just started a new campaign to make sure people are aware that threatening to spread intimate images is a crime, just as this book is publishing! Hopefully between the two we get some conversations going around this very touchy and misunderstood topic.)
Absolutely brilliant. I love it.
I love Tamsin Winter. Girl (in real life) was one of my favourite books of 2021, and I've been looking forward to this one. Tamsin seems to have a line straight into the minds of teenage girls, and she knows how to present it in a way that's clear and easy to follow without being patronising.
Much like Tamsin, I am always grateful that I grew up (::cough::just::cough::) before social media was a thing. Puberty is tricky enough without having all your failings immortalised for everyone to look at forever, as happens here to Amelia. As often happens, from our position outside the story, it's easy to see what's happening - with her father, with the bullying and with Evan - but Tamsin makes it easy to sympathise with Amelia, too, and to understand why she takes the actions she does. (No spoilers, but I very nearly cheered at a certain scene near the end!) There are a few scenes that are difficult to read, just because of the subject matter, but it's such a good read I got past that.
If we're lucky, this book will spark a few conversations and maybe make a few people rethink their actions and behaviours. It absolutely should be in every classroom, read and discussed in book clubs, and ideally part of the school curriculum - it's that important and that well written. Just a fabulous read all around, I really enjoyed it, and I tore through it in a day!
I will read anything Tamsin produces; Girl has a special place in my heart, but this is very nearly unseating it.
(And, in an amusing coincidence, the Irish Gardai have just started a new campaign to make sure people are aware that threatening to spread intimate images is a crime, just as this book is publishing! Hopefully between the two we get some conversations going around this very touchy and misunderstood topic.)
Absolutely brilliant. I love it.
emotional
inspiring
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really felt for Amelia throughout the book - with pressure to be perfect in every aspect of her life, from academics, her music, and living up to her dad's extremely high expectations, to trying so hard to be liked in school.
The extent of Amelia's bullying was really difficult to read, and I was just wishing she would tell someone!
I'm sure many of us have been in a similar situation with a boy as Amelia, desperately wanting to impress, and not knowing where you stand is all too relatable, something I think Tamsin captured perfectly. So, whilst I was frustrated at her at times, my heart broke for her as the story unfolded with Evan.
That being said, there were some wonderful relationships in this story. I loved her friendship with Nisha, her sisterly bond with Hannah, and seeing her connect more with Selina.
Overall, a very enjoyable read, highlighting some really important issues, with a heartwarming ending.
The extent of Amelia's bullying was really difficult to read, and I was just wishing she would tell someone!
I'm sure many of us have been in a similar situation with a boy as Amelia, desperately wanting to impress, and not knowing where you stand is all too relatable, something I think Tamsin captured perfectly. So, whilst I was frustrated at her at times, my heart broke for her as the story unfolded with Evan.
That being said, there were some wonderful relationships in this story. I loved her friendship with Nisha, her sisterly bond with Hannah, and seeing her connect more with Selina.
Overall, a very enjoyable read, highlighting some really important issues, with a heartwarming ending.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Trigger warnings: bullying, body shaming, online sharing of explicit photos without consent, toxic relationship
I wanted to love this because I really enjoy the way that Tamsin Winter writes contemporaries for the 13-14 year old end of the young adult market. But there was just something about the way this played out that didn't sit right with me.
So essentially, it's about a 13 year old girl who's been bullied for the past two years at school. And then a new boy starts at school and he's interested in her. He pressures her to send him nudes, which then get shared around the school.
I think my problem was predominantly with the fact that the bullying - which was happening IN CLASS IN FRONT OF TEACHERS ON A DAILY BASIS - hadn't been dealt with at ALL. Like, that kind of stuff is really fucking obvious to school staff. Like, if the bullying was almost all happening online or outside the classroom? Fine. I'd buy it. But kids literally calling her Maggot and hurling abuse at her in the classroom and teachers do nothing? WTF.
Anyway. I also didn't entirely gel with the title - too much of the story felt like build up and not enough focus on the aftermath to warrant the title. So ultimately, I liked what it was trying to do, but it felt like 80% build up and the way off wasn't worth it for me.
I wanted to love this because I really enjoy the way that Tamsin Winter writes contemporaries for the 13-14 year old end of the young adult market. But there was just something about the way this played out that didn't sit right with me.
So essentially, it's about a 13 year old girl who's been bullied for the past two years at school. And then a new boy starts at school and he's interested in her. He pressures her to send him nudes, which then get shared around the school.
I think my problem was predominantly with the fact that the bullying - which was happening IN CLASS IN FRONT OF TEACHERS ON A DAILY BASIS - hadn't been dealt with at ALL. Like, that kind of stuff is really fucking obvious to school staff. Like, if the bullying was almost all happening online or outside the classroom? Fine. I'd buy it. But kids literally calling her Maggot and hurling abuse at her in the classroom and teachers do nothing? WTF.
Anyway. I also didn't entirely gel with the title - too much of the story felt like build up and not enough focus on the aftermath to warrant the title. So ultimately, I liked what it was trying to do, but it felt like 80% build up and the way off wasn't worth it for me.
challenging
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders